Australia Zoo Hoping to Breed Vulnerable Dragons

Australia Zoo Hoping to Breed Vulnerable Komodo Dragons

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 10, 2020 4:12 pm

Robert Irwin with Indah the Komodo dragon at Australia Zoo

Photo Credit: Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo has welcomed a new Komodo dragon on a breeding exchange with hopes sparks will fly between him and their resident female.

Naga has come to the zoo from Snakes Down Under Reptile Park in Childers Queensland. He has swapped homes with resident Australia Zoo komodo dragon, Gili who did not show promising behavior during initial introductions to female, Indah.

Naga and Indah the Komodo dragons during a recent introduction

Photo Credit: Australia Zoo

Both Gili and Naga came to Australia as part of an import of seven komodo dragons from Prague Zoo for the Australian Species Management Program (ASMP). The ASMP is a cooperative effort between Australian zoos to breed and conserve endangered species.

Komodo Dragons are the largest species of lizard on Earth and can only be found on the islands of Rinca, Komodo and Flores in Indonesia. This vulnerable species is under threat from habitat destruction, poaching and natural disasters.

A Komodo dragon at Australia Zoo

Photo Credit: Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo is hoping to establish a breeding program for the species to help ensure their survival.

“It is not breeding season until next winter, however, we wanted to take the opportunity to introduce Indah to Naga in the hope that they will become familiar and Indah will be more receptive for mating when the time comes,” said Nick Kuyper, Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians at Australia Zoo.

“Our primary focus is ensuring the reproductive health of Indah and it is very important that she starts to lay healthy clutches of eggs, chances of which can be increased by exposing her to a male dragon.” he said.

— AD —

In addition to their breeding program Australia Zoo is helping research on the speed, muscle power and posture of the extinct Megalania prisca, a 600kg goanna. Robert Irwin has been passionately assisting this program alongside Dr. Christofer Clemente of University of Sunshine Coast and Dr. Taylor Dick of University of Queensland.