New komodo dragon in Prague Zoo
Prague has been a Komodo Dragon superpower. The latest success has been twenty eggs, which the zoo’s employees took from a female komodo dragon in the middle of February and which have been placed in an incubator.
The new arrival will affect breeding in Europe
“The arrival of Leonardo, which is the male’s name, is also crucial from the point of view of the whole of Europe. Komodo dragons in European zoos have very narrow genetic scope, their breeding is based on a very small number of animals. This means that the opportunities for forming breeding couples that are not related is limited,” explained the curator of reptiles, Petr Velenský. The male from Pilsen is not related to any komodo dragons in Europe and his participation in breeding would be extremely valuable for the future of the whole European population. Leonardo could mate with Prague’s female in January 2011. “Until then, they will live separately but they will be able to get to know each other through a partition made of bamboo trunks,” said Velenský.
Check-up under anaesthesia
Leonardo arrived from Pilsen without any problems, in a long, narrow box. “After his arrival we did a complex check-up under a gentle inhalation anaesthesia, which took about one hour,” said Petr Velenský. The komodo dragon was measured and weighed (256 cm, 77 kg), his blood was taken, eyes examined, joints x-rayed and claws corrected. “His waking up from anaesthesia was very quick, Leonardo was completely o.k. in the space of 30 minutes. He spent the night in a heated cave,” added Mr. Velenský.
Leonardo can already be seen
Leonardo can already be seen by visitors. An official welcoming will take place on Sunday 25th April at 2:30 p.m. in the Indonesian Jungle as a part of a so-called Komodo Dragons‘ Day, during which visitors will have the opportunity to learn about their breeding. A commentated feeding will take place at 1:30 in the Pavilion of Large Tortoises. “On that occasion, we will say goodbye to the male called Komodor, who will soon leave for Colchester Zoo,” said Velenský. The highlight of the programme will be the baptism of in seven six-month-old komodo dragons, which will be held at 3:30 in front of the Pavilion of Large Tortoises in the presence of Indonesian Embassy representatives and Studio Ypsilon actors. Visitors can also look forward to accompanying events such as the tasting of Indonesian cuisine and a traditional Indonesian dance!
23. April 2010
More articles in ... News
- Rare Owls at the Zoo
- Elephants Have a New Home
- Zoo Full of Baby Animals
- New Baby Giraffes in Zoo
- Someone in Zoo Likes it Cold
- The ZOO has Cheetahs
- Moja Left for Spain
- Birth of Another Baby Gorilla
- European Bison Prga Met her Relatives
- Gorilla Moja’s Departure to Spain Postponed
- Moja - Farewell
- Komodo Dragons Thrive in Prague Zoo
- Aranka is a Proud Father as well as Mother
- Parys the Lion Celebrates Birthdayy
- ZOO Has a New Resident Baby Hippo
- Seals are Showing off their Cub
- Watch Ibis Hatching in Zoo
- Komodo dragons hatching on-line
- Zoo full of surprises
- Gorilla´s pavilion fully opens
