Australia Zoo achieves successful breeding of Komodo dragons

Komodo dragons, apex predators native to the Indonesian islands of Rinca, Flores, and Komodo, face increasing threats from habitat destruction, poaching, and natural disasters, all of which pose a risk to their future.

Australia Zoo, a 700-acre zoo located on the on the Sunshine Coast has made history with the successful breeding of Komodo dragons, marking a milestone in their 55-year history, and contributing to the Zoo’s conservation efforts worldwide.

Their youngest Komodo dragons, Lagertha and Ragnar, both aged eight, were paired last season after several breeding attempts with other dragons. Their pairing led to a clutch of eggs laid by Lagertha, with three hatching out into adorable little dragons.

Nick Kuyper, Curator of Reptiles, Amphibians and Birds at Australia Zoo noted "Komodo dragon eggs have an incubation period of seven to eight months, and our first egg successfully hatched after 214 days, following a long and remarkable wait.

"Here at Australia Zoo, breeding Komodo dragons has been one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences for our entire team of dedicated herpetologists.”

With all three eggs having hatched, they are being carefully monitored around the clock, with regular feeds and weigh-ins, before they are ready to go to their new homes.

Kuyper added "breeding the world's largest lizard will remain a career highlight for all of us, and the fact that it's a first for Australia Zoo makes it even more extraordinary.”

Wildlife conservationist Terri Irwin shared "we are honoured to have successfully bred Komodo dragons here at Australia Zoo, helping create an insurance population for the species and celebrating these gorgeous reptiles.

"Our goal at Australia Zoo is to educate and inspire the world through our efforts in conservation. Our work at Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors helps ensure that entire wildlife populations and natural habitats thrive for future generations.

"As one of the world's few zoological facilities to breed Komodo dragons, we're incredibly proud to play a leading role in securing a future for this endangered species, whose population is continuing to decline.”

Visitors to Australia Zoo can admire the stunning Komodo dragons who are often seen sunbathing in their beautiful home, or exploring the world-famous Crocoseum where guests can learn all about these impressive reptiles.

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Images. Credit: Australia Zoo