Keepers at the Australian Reptile Park risked life and limb this week to lend a helping hand as the Park’s resident Komodo dragons, Kraken and Daenerys, were paired for mating.
Komodo dragons are the largest living lizard species and virtually modern-day dinosaurs.
A venomous bite from a Komodo dragon is potentially life-threatening.
The keepers also had to ensure the two creatures did not kill each other during the mating process.
The successful pairing marks an Australian first as no other zoo, sanctuary or facility in the country has successfully bred Komodo dragons.
Successful copulation was spotted multiple times which is a positive sign for the breeding program and an important step for the species, which is considered under threat in the wild.
Head of Reptiles, Daniel Rumsey, said a lot of work goes into the breeding of Komodo dragons.
“These are two animals that could potentially kill each other and do some serious damage to us keepers in the process,” he said.
“It was a bit touch and go during the initial introductions; however, our female became receptive and the two mated successfully.
“I’ve been working with our two Komodo dragons for around five years and to see them mating is just one of the awe-inspiring things I’ve ever seen as a zookeeper.”
It is now a waiting game as staff eagerly wait for Daenerys to lay her eggs in her purpose-built nest box.
The Komodo dragon is a living dinosaur and the world’s largest lizard.
Komodo dragons can grow up to 3-4 metres in length and weigh over 100kg.
Found on the Indonesian island of Komodo, there is a stable population of about 3,000 to 5,000 Komodo dragons in the wild.
They are monitors, but their forked tongue gives them a dragon-like appearance.
They are carnivorous predators but will eat just about anything.
The status of the Komodo dragon in the wild is vulnerable, which is the status level before endangered, on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.
Their numbers are declining because of human encroachment, poaching, natural disasters, and a shortage of egg laying females.
Breeding programs, like that at the Australian Reptile Park, are of the utmost importance.
Source:
Media release, Aug 26
Australian Reptile Park