Singapore Zoo breeds Komodo Dragon

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Singapore

Zoo breeds rare Komodo dragon

 

AFP/HO – This photo provided by the Singapore Zoo shows a 40 cm (15.75 inch;

1.31 foot) Komodo dragon, first time …

Mon Dec 7, 1:13 am ET

 

SINGAPORE (AFP) – Singapore Zoo has successfully bred the

highly-endangered Komodo

dragon, officials said on Monday, reporting that the rare baby reptile was

in good health.

 

The 40-centimetre (16-inch) hatchling is the first Komodo dragon born in an

Asian zoo outside Indonesia, the native home of the world's largest lizard

species, a spokeswoman told AFP.

 

In a press statement, assistant director of zoology Biswajit Guha said the

hatching of the Komodo dragon, whose gender has not been confirmed, " is one

of the most significant moments " for the zoo, one of Singapore's top

attractions.

 

The breeding of Komodo dragons in captivity " is fraught with difficulties

due to incompatible pairings, dearth of experience in egg incubation and

over-representation of males in zoos, " he said.

 

The reptiles are considered one of Indonesia's national treasures. Komodos

can grow up to three metres (10 feet) in length and weigh up to 140

kilograms (310 pounds).

 

They are listed as " vulnerable " in the International Union for Conservation

of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.

 

Only 3,000 of the poisonous lizards, native to Komodo and a few other

islands in eastern Indonesia, remain in the wild, according to another

campaign group, The Nature Conservancy, which does field work in the area.

 

The reptiles live on a diet of large mammals, reptiles and birds, but have

been known to attack humans.

 

An Indonesian fisherman was mauled to death by a Komodo dragon in March

after he ventured into a remote island sanctuary.