Guyana Zoo (officially Guyana Zoological Park ) is a zoo located in Georgetown , the capital of Guyana . The zoo officially opened in 1952, but its grounds had been used as botanical gardens since 1895. Some of its most popular attractions are harpy eagles and manatees .
94-573: As of 2005, the zoo had approximately 25 staff. In 1877, the government voted to establish a botanical garden, bringing in John Frederick Waby from the UK who spent the next 35 years in landscaping Guyana's gardens. The gardens feature tropical flowers and palms, including the national flower, the Victoria Regia Lily. Interest in creating a zoo is traced back to 1880, but it wasn't until 1952 when
188-647: A baobab tree . A 340,000-litre (80,000-gallon) indoor pool for hippos offers view of the creatures underwater. In the warmer months, the doors lift to connect the building with the rest of the Savannah exhibit, home to Hartmann's mountain zebras , grey crowned cranes and ostriches . Many other animals of the grasslands, including African lions , also reside in the Savannah exhibit. In the TransAlta Rainforest, there are primates such as western lowland gorillas , eastern black-and-white colobus , and mandrills , and
282-466: A barred owl , golden eagle , great grey owl , bald eagle , snowy owl , and rough-legged hawk . The outdoor gardens are among the zoo's most popular attractions and include the Dorothy Harvie Gardens . The zoo's sheltered location supports many marginally hardy plant species. The conservatory comprises the indoor component of the zoo's gardens. It includes a number of "themed" areas such as
376-410: A western lowland gorilla infant was born to Kioja. Named Kimani, she was underweight at birth, but quickly recovered and is currently in perfect health. In August 2016 a king penguin chick named Edward hatched, born to mother Grace. The following year another king penguin chick hatched and was named Cleopatra to follow a theme of royal names. In May 2017 a Przewalski's horse foal was born at
470-584: A 1% jump in the global population. In 2014, it became necessary to separate Vasili and Samkha, the two male tiger cubs, now almost full grown, from sister Kira and mom Katja (12 years old). Based on the Species Survival Plan recommendation, which manages genetics for future breeding, they were moved to Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg . In May 2018 Vasili was moved to Toronto Zoo in Toronto . In early 2016,
564-423: A Komodo dragon reputedly suffer from said sepsis and will later be eaten by the same or other lizards. Komodo dragons eat by tearing large chunks of flesh and swallowing them whole while holding the carcass down with their forelegs. For smaller prey up to the size of a goat, their loosely articulated jaws, flexible skulls, and expandable stomachs allow them to swallow prey whole. The undigested vegetable contents of
658-461: A W chromosome become WW and fail to develop, meaning that only males are produced by parthenogenesis in this species. It has been hypothesised that this reproductive adaptation allows a single female to enter an isolated ecological niche (such as an island) and by parthenogenesis produce male offspring, thereby establishing a sexually reproducing population (via reproduction with her offspring that can result in both male and female young). Despite
752-483: A collaboration involving 17 Ghana villages, was awarded the United Nations Equator Prize as one of the world's top 25 conservation initiatives. It has become a model for community-based conservation throughout Africa. In March 2012, Amur tiger Katja gave birth to three Amur tiger cubs at the zoo. The species is so highly endangered (there are an estimated 350 individuals worldwide), the births represented
846-621: A couple of months, dying in October and November 1926. The first Komodo dragons were displayed at London Zoo in 1927. A Komodo dragon was exhibited in 1934 in the United States at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. , but it lived for only two years. More attempts to exhibit Komodo dragons were made, but the lifespan of the animals in captivity at the time proved very short, averaging five years in
940-1156: A male Indian rhinoceros named Sabari (now residing in Safari Niagara, Ontario ). The area known as Panda Passage has since been renamed to Gateway to Asia and has seen the addition of a Malayan tapir and 2 white-handed gibbons . The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo's six-acre Prehistoric Park features life-sized dinosaurs in their re-created geographical environment, including replicas of an inland sea and volcanic mountain, and more than 100 species of living plants. Dinosaurs include Albertosaurus , Allosaurus , Ankylosaurus , Apatosaurus , Baryonyx , Centrosaurus , Corythosaurus , Deinonychus , Dilophosaurus , Edmontosaurus , Elasmosaurus , Euoplocephalus , Iguanodon , Metriacanthosaurus , Nothosaurus , Omeisaurus , Pachyrhinosaurus , Parasaurolophus , Protoceratops , Pteranodon , Pterosaur , Stegosaurus , Struthiomimus , Styracosaurus , Tanystropheus , Triceratops , Tylosaurus , Tyrannosaurus rex , and Yangchuanosaurus . Penguin Plunge and
1034-667: A male dragon. After Flora's eggs' condition had been discovered, testing showed Sungai's eggs were also produced without outside fertilization. On 31 January 2008, the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas , became the first zoo in the Americas to document parthenogenesis in Komodo dragons. The zoo has two adult female Komodo dragons, one of which laid about 17 eggs on 19–20 May 2007. Only two eggs were incubated and hatched due to space issues;
SECTION 10
#17328698623291128-595: A male, an adaptation known as superfecundation . On 20 December 2006, it was reported that Flora, a captive Komodo dragon living in the Chester Zoo in England, was the second known Komodo dragon to have laid unfertilised eggs: she laid 11 eggs, and seven of them hatched, all of them male. Scientists at Liverpool University in England performed genetic tests on three eggs that collapsed after being moved to an incubator, and verified Flora had never been in physical contact with
1222-1072: A mass of horns, hair, and teeth known as the gastric pellet, which is covered in malodorous mucus. After regurgitating the gastric pellet, it rubs its face in the dirt or on bushes to get rid of the mucus. The eating habits of Komodo dragons follow a hierarchy, with the larger animals generally eating before the smaller ones. The largest male typically asserts his dominance and the smaller males show their submission by use of body language and rumbling hisses. Dragons of equal size may resort to "wrestling". Losers usually retreat, though they have been known to be killed and eaten by victors. The Komodo dragon's diet varies depending on stage of growth. Young Komodo dragons will eat insects, birds and bird's eggs and small reptiles, while larger Komodo dragons (typically over 20 kg (44 lb)) prefer large ungulate prey, such as Javan rusa deer, wild pigs and water buffalo . Occasionally, they attack and bite humans. Sometimes they consume human corpses, digging up bodies from shallow graves. This habit of raiding graves caused
1316-483: A number of kangaroos , emus , monitor lizards , and for a brief temporary time, koalas . Kamala the elephant lived at Calgary Zoo from 1976 to 2014. While there, she gave birth to a male named Calvin in 1986 and a female named Maharani in 1990. One third of the zoo's 130 species are cared for within Species Survival Plans, a global initiative to protect at-risk genetic diversity. Twenty-nine species at
1410-479: A number of reptiles including leopard tortoises , Malagasy tree boas , a panther chameleon and a pair of dwarf crocodiles , as well as an aviary containing various species of African birds. In 2017, the Land of Lemurs was opened to the public, with 3 different species of lemurs residing within; the black-and-white ruffed lemur , the ring-tailed lemur , and the red-fronted lemur . The Canadian Wilds were built in
1504-530: A poor source of leather. Additionally, these osteoderms become more extensive and variable in shape as the Komodo dragon ages, ossifying more extensively as the lizard grows. These osteoderms are absent in hatchlings and juveniles, indicating that the natural armor develops as a product of age and competition between adults for protection in intraspecific combat over food and mates. Komodo dragons have ziphodont teeth, which are defined as teeth that are laterally flattened, recurved, and with serrated tooth crowns where
1598-428: A prey animal's stomach and intestines are typically avoided. Copious amounts of red saliva the Komodo dragons produce help to lubricate the food, but swallowing is still a long process (15–20 minutes to swallow a goat). A Komodo dragon may attempt to speed up the process by ramming the carcass against a tree to force it down its throat, sometimes ramming so forcefully that the tree is knocked down. A small tube under
1692-483: A renovated gift shop were opened in the spring of 2012 and is located at the entrance of the Zoo. The exhibit includes king penguins , Humboldt penguins , gentoo penguins , and rockhopper penguins . Penguin Plunge consists of two main areas, an indoor climate-controlled habitat and an outdoor open-air habitat. In summer, the outdoor exhibit holds the warm-weather South American Humboldt penguins which are housed inside during
1786-476: A short peptide dubbed DRGN-1 and tested it against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Preliminary results of these tests show that DRGN-1 is effective in killing drug-resistant bacterial strains and even some fungi. It has the added observed benefit of significantly promoting wound healing in both uninfected and mixed biofilm infected wounds. In late 2005, researchers at the University of Melbourne speculated
1880-582: A stealthy approach. When suitable prey arrives near a dragon's ambush site, it will suddenly charge at the animal at high speeds and go for the underside or the throat. Komodo dragons do not deliberately allow the prey to escape with fatal injuries but try to kill prey outright using a combination of lacerating damage and blood loss. They have been recorded as killing wild pigs within seconds, and observations of Komodo dragons tracking prey for long distances are likely misinterpreted cases of prey escaping an attack before succumbing to infection. Most prey attacked by
1974-552: A study reported no agitation in wild Komodo dragons in response to whispers, raised voices, or shouts. This was disputed when London Zoo employee Joan Procter trained a captive specimen to come out to feed at the sound of her voice, even when she could not be seen. The Komodo dragon can see objects as far away as 300 m (980 ft), but because its retinas only contain cones , it is thought to have poor night vision. It can distinguish colours, but has poor visual discrimination of stationary objects. As with many other reptiles,
SECTION 20
#17328698623292068-413: A support. As it matures, its claws are used primarily as weapons, as its great size makes climbing impractical. For shelter, the Komodo dragon digs holes that can measure from 1 to 3 m (3.3 to 9.8 ft) wide with its powerful forelimbs and claws. Because of its large size and habit of sleeping in these burrows, it is able to conserve body heat throughout the night and minimise its basking period
2162-412: A very narrow view of oral secretions and resulted in misinterpretation of reptilian evolution." According to these scientists "reptilian oral secretions contribute to many biological roles other than to quickly dispatch prey." These researchers concluded that, "Calling all in this clade venomous implies an overall potential danger that does not exist, misleads in the assessment of medical risks, and confuses
2256-671: Is an exhausting effort for the neonates, which break out of their eggshells with an egg tooth that falls off before long. After cutting themselves out, the hatchlings may lie in their eggshells for hours before starting to dig out of the nest. They are born quite defenseless and are vulnerable to predation. Sixteen youngsters from a single nest were on average 46.5 cm long and weighed 105.1 grams. Young Komodo dragons spend much of their first few years in trees, where they are relatively safe from predators, including cannibalistic adults, as juvenile dragons make up 10% of their diets. The habit of cannibalism may be advantageous in sustaining
2350-583: Is home to a team of biologists who have earned international recognition as North America's leaders in the science of species recovery and reintroduction. The science journal Nature rates the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo as one of the top five zoos in the world for conservation research, alongside New York , San Diego , Frankfurt , and London . In June 2012, the head of the Calgary Zoo's Centre for Conservation Research, Dr. Axel Moehrenschlager,
2444-565: Is located in Bridgeland , Calgary , Alberta , Canada, just east of the city's downtown and adjacent to the Inglewood and East Village neighborhoods. It is accessible via Calgary's C-Train light rail system, by car via Memorial Drive , and by bicycle and footpath via the Bow River pathway . A large portion of the zoo is located on St. George's Island in the Bow River . The zoo is operated by
2538-439: Is most active in the day, although it exhibits some nocturnal activity. Komodo dragons are solitary, coming together only to breed and eat. They are capable of running rapidly in brief sprints up to 20 km/h (12 mph), diving up to 4.5 m (15 ft), and climbing trees proficiently when young through use of their strong claws. To catch out-of-reach prey, the Komodo dragon may stand on its hind legs and use its tail as
2632-547: Is open every day except for Christmas Day. The zoo has also received international recognition as one of the top zoos in the world for conservation research. In 2013, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums said "the Calgary Zoo sets itself apart as one of the top zoos in the world." In 2015 the zoo was named one of the top three most respected organizations in Alberta and one of Alberta's 10 most beloved brands. St. George's Island
2726-598: Is prohibited. Despite this, there are occasional reports of illegal attempts to trade in live Komodo dragons. The most recent attempt was in March 2019, when Indonesian police in the East Java city of Surabaya reported that a criminal network had been caught trying to smuggle 41 young Komodo dragons out of Indonesia. The plan was said to include shipping the animals to several other countries in Southeast Asia through Singapore. It
2820-500: Is reinforced by armoured scales, which contain tiny bones called osteoderms that function as a sort of natural chain-mail . The only areas lacking osteoderms on the head of the adult Komodo dragon are around the eyes, nostrils, mouth margins, and parietal eye , a light-sensing organ on the top of the head. Where lizards typically have one or two varying patterns or shapes of osteoderms, komodos have four: rosette, platy, dendritic, and vermiform. This rugged hide makes Komodo dragon skin
2914-435: Is the first North American to hold this position. The zoo focused on saving eight highly endangered Western Canada species: whooping crane , Vancouver Island marmot , swift fox , black-footed ferret , black-tailed prairie dog , burrowing owl , northern leopard frog and greater sage grouse . It also works on conservation projects around the world, including: In 2008, the zoo's Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary project,
Guyana Zoo - Misplaced Pages Continue
3008-597: Is the largest seasonal light show in western Canada. Following a series of high-profile incidents in 2008 and 2009, some commentators criticized the zoo's conduct and operations. Past incidents cited included: The zoo's director said all the incidents are unrelated. An independent review was solicited by the zoo in December 2009 and was conducted by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums . The report, released in 2010, spotlighted systemic problems. In response,
3102-644: The Chengdu Research Base in Chengdu, Sichaun, China. Panda Passage featured adult male Da Mao , cubs Jia Yueyue and Jia Panpan as well as their mother Er Shun . Since then, the pandas have been returned to China because of bamboo supply chain issues arising from CoVID-19. Formerly residing in the Panda's habitat area was a herd of Asian elephants (relocated to the Smithsonian National Zoo ) and later
3196-673: The Dutch colonial administration. Widespread notoriety came after 1912, when Peter Ouwens , the director of the Zoological Museum of Bogor , Java , published a paper on the topic after receiving a photo and a skin from the lieutenant, as well as two other specimens from a collector. The first two live Komodo dragons to arrive in Europe were exhibited in the Reptile House at London Zoo when it opened in 1927. Joan Beauchamp Procter made some of
3290-519: The Komodo monitor , is a large reptile of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo , Rinca , Flores , and Gili Motang . It is the largest extant species of lizard , with the males growing to a maximum length of 3 m (9.8 ft) and weighing up to 150 kg (330 lb). As a result of their size, Komodo dragons are apex predators , and dominate
3384-530: The crocodile monitor . Many other monitor species as well as Chinese crocodile lizards and beaded lizards only have 1-2 replacement teeth behind each tooth position. As with other varanids, Komodo dragons have only a single ear bone, the stapes , for transferring vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the cochlea . This arrangement means they are likely restricted to sounds in the 400 to 2,000 hertz range, compared to humans who hear between 20 and 20,000 hertz. They were formerly thought to be deaf when
3478-428: The ecosystems in which they live. Komodo dragons hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates , birds, and mammals . Komodo dragons' group behavior in hunting is exceptional in the reptile world. The diet of Komodo dragons mainly consists of Javan rusa ( Rusa timorensis ), though they also eat considerable amounts of carrion . Komodo dragons also occasionally attack humans. Mating begins between May and August, and
3572-435: The meiosis reduction-divisions in her ovaries failing. When a female Komodo dragon (with ZW sex chromosomes) reproduces in this manner, she provides her progeny with only one chromosome from each of her pairs of chromosomes, including only one of her two sex chromosomes. This single set of chromosomes is duplicated in the egg, which develops parthenogenetically. Eggs receiving a Z chromosome become ZZ (male); those receiving
3666-437: The perentie ( Varanus giganteus ), other species of monitors, and agamids may be somewhat venomous. The team believes the immediate effects of bites from these lizards were caused by mild envenomation. Bites on human digits by a lace monitor ( V. varius ), a Komodo dragon, and a spotted tree monitor ( V. timorensis ) all produced similar effects: rapid swelling, localised disruption of blood clotting, and shooting pain up to
3760-553: The tropical garden , the rainforest , the arid garden , and the butterfly garden . A number of animals including birds and invertebrates are housed in the conservatory. The ENMAX Conservatory was completely renovated in 2009 and features an increased emphasis on teaching visitors the importance of plants and improving energy efficiency. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo achieved LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ) Gold in energy conservation and responsible building practices,
3854-655: The 1990s to house the majority of zoo's collection of North American birds and mammals. The area includes outdoor enclosures in three zones: the Aspen Woodlands , the Northern Forest , and the Rocky Mountains . Animals in the enclosures include dall sheep , river otters , caribou , bighorn sheep , mountain goats , grizzly bears , polar bears , muskoxen , moose , whooping cranes , black bears , cougars , wood bison , and grey wolves . This aviary includes
Guyana Zoo - Misplaced Pages Continue
3948-727: The African Savannah. The zoo opened Penguin Plunge, an Arctic/Antarctic penguin addition in 2012. In April 2013, the Calgary Zoo announced a master plan for rebuilding the zoo over 20 years. The initial focus on the master plan was preparing for the arrival of two giant pandas in 2018 for a five-year stay. The Calgary Zoo Foundation rebranded itself as the Wilder Institute and instituted the new joint Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo branding in 2021. The Calgary area suffered extensive flooding in June 2013 resulting in over $ 50 million in damage to
4042-543: The Auffenberg expedition proved enormously influential in raising Komodo dragons in captivity. Research after that of the Auffenberg family has shed more light on the nature of the Komodo dragon, with biologists such as Claudio Ciofi continuing to study the creatures. The Komodo dragon is also sometimes known as the Komodo monitor or the Komodo Island monitor in scientific literature, although these names are uncommon. To
4136-431: The Calgary Zoo's Wildlife Conservation Centre. While not visible to the public, this is an important addition to the genetic diversity of the endangered wild horse. In June 2018 a bactrian camel calf was born to Eva. He was later named Gobi. Zoolights is a Christmas lights festival held annually at the Zoo. It closes only on Christmas Day. The month-long, animal-themed show features more than one million lights and
4230-686: The Calgary Zoological Society, an independent not-for-profit organization that is Alberta's oldest registered charity. The AZA -, WAZA -, and CAZA -accredited zoo was among the first in Canada to be accredited by all three associations. It is home to over 1,000 animals, excluding individual fish and insects, and 272 different species. The 120-acre zoo is organized by seven distinct zones: Destination Africa, Canadian Wilds, Penguin Plunge, Dorothy Harvie Botanical Gardens and ENMAX Conservatory, TransAlta Rainforest, Eurasia, and Prehistoric Park. The zoo
4324-585: The Destination Africa project was among the zoo's most ambitious expansions. The complex of four buildings includes the TransAlta Rainforest and the African Savannah . The TransAlta Rainforest occupies 2,900 square metres (31,000 square feet) and features a collection of African rainforest flora and fauna. The African Savannah building is home to hippos , Masai giraffes , red river hogs , and
4418-457: The Komodo dragon primarily relies on its tongue to detect, taste , and smell stimuli , with the vomeronasal sense using the Jacobson's organ , rather than using the nostrils. With the help of a favorable wind and its habit of swinging its head from side to side as it walks, a Komodo dragon may be able to detect carrion from 4–9.5 km (2.5–5.9 mi) away. It only has a few taste buds in
4512-455: The Komodo dragon. In the wild, adult Komodo dragons usually weigh around 70 kg (150 lb), although captive specimens often weigh more. According to Guinness World Records , an average adult male will weigh 79 to 91 kg (174 to 201 lb) and measure 2.59 m (8.5 ft), while an average female will weigh 68 to 73 kg (150 to 161 lb) and measure 2.29 m (7.5 ft). The largest verified specimen in captivity
4606-1002: The National Zoological Park. Studies were done by Walter Auffenberg, which were documented in his book The Behavioral Ecology of the Komodo Monitor , eventually allowing for more successful management and breeding of the dragons in captivity. Surabaya Zoo in Indonesia has been breeding Komodo dragons since 1990 and had 134 dragons in 2022, the largest collection outside its natural habitat. As of May 2009, there were 35 North American, 13 European, one Singaporean, two African, and two Australian institutions which housed captive Komodo dragons. In 2016, four Komodo dragons were transferred from Bronx zoo to Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in India. A variety of behaviors have been observed from captive specimens. Most individuals become relatively tame within
4700-776: The Wae Wuul and Wolo Tado Reserves were opened on Flores to aid Komodo dragon conservation. Komodo dragons generally avoid encounters with humans. Juveniles are very shy and will flee quickly into a hideout if a human comes closer than about 100 metres (330 ft). Older animals will also retreat from humans from a shorter distance away. If cornered, they may react aggressively by gaping their mouth, hissing, and swinging their tail. If they are disturbed further, they may attack and bite. Although there are anecdotes of unprovoked Komodo dragons attacking or preying on humans, most of these reports are either not reputable or have subsequently been interpreted as defensive bites. Only very few cases are truly
4794-420: The advantages of such an adaptation, zoos are cautioned that parthenogenesis may be detrimental to genetic diversity. Attacks on humans are rare, but Komodo dragons have been responsible for several human fatalities, both in the wild and in captivity. According to data from Komodo National Park spanning a 38-year period between 1974 and 2012, there were 24 reported attacks on humans, five of them fatal. Most of
SECTION 50
#17328698623294888-431: The animal had consumed a large meal. The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body, as well as about 60 frequently replaced, serrated teeth that can measure up to 2.5 cm (1 in) in length. Its saliva is frequently blood-tinged because its teeth are almost completely covered by gingival tissue that is naturally lacerated during feeding. It also has a long, yellow, deeply forked tongue . Komodo dragon skin
4982-417: The back of its throat. Its scales, some of which are reinforced with bone, have sensory plaques connected to nerves to facilitate its sense of touch. The scales around the ears, lips, chin, and soles of the feet may have three or more sensory plaques. The Komodo dragon prefers hot and dry places and typically lives in dry, open grassland, savanna, and tropical forest at low elevations. As an ectotherm , it
5076-435: The bigger islands (Komodo and Rinca), but decreased on smaller islands, such as Nusa Kode and Gili Motang, likely due to diminishing prey availability. On Padar , a former population of Komodo dragons has recently become extirpated , of which the last individuals were seen in 1975. It is widely assumed that the Komodo dragon died out on Padar following a major decline of populations of large ungulate prey, for which poaching
5170-399: The biological assessment of squamate biochemical systems." Evolutionary biologist Schwenk says that even if the lizards have venom-like proteins in their mouths they may be using them for a different function, and he doubts venom is necessary to explain the effect of a Komodo dragon bite, arguing that shock and blood loss are the primary factors. Mating occurs between May and August, with
5264-481: The earliest observations of these animals in captivity and she demonstrated their behaviour at a scientific meeting of the Zoological Society of London in 1928. The Komodo dragon was the driving factor for an expedition to Komodo Island by W. Douglas Burden in 1926. After returning with 12 preserved specimens and two live ones, this expedition provided the inspiration for the 1933 movie King Kong . It
5358-543: The early phases of courtship. Therefore, the male must fully restrain the female during coitus to avoid being hurt. Other courtship displays include males rubbing their chins on the female, hard scratches to the back, and licking. Copulation occurs when the male inserts one of his hemipenes into the female's cloaca . Komodo dragons may be monogamous and form "pair bonds", a rare behavior for lizards. Female Komodos lay their eggs from August to September and may use several types of locality; in one study, 60% laid their eggs in
5452-731: The eggs are laid in September; as many as 20 eggs are deposited at a time in an abandoned megapode nest or in a self-dug nesting hole. The eggs are incubated for seven to eight months, hatching in April, when insects are most plentiful. Young Komodo dragons are vulnerable and dwell in trees to avoid predators, such as cannibalistic adults, which young Komodo dragons also try to repel by rolling in feces. They take 8 to 9 years to mature and are estimated to live up to 30 years. Komodo dragons were first recorded by Western scientists in 1910. Their large size and fearsome reputation make them popular zoo exhibits. In
5546-445: The eggs laid in September. During this period, males fight over females and territory by grappling with one another upon their hind legs, with the loser eventually being pinned to the ground. These males may vomit or defecate when preparing for the fight. The winner of the fight will then flick his long tongue at the female to gain information about her receptivity. Females are antagonistic and resist with their claws and teeth during
5640-639: The elbow, with some symptoms lasting for several hours. In 2009, the same researchers published further evidence demonstrating Komodo dragons possess a venomous bite. MRI scans of a preserved skull showed the presence of two glands in the lower jaw. The researchers extracted one of these glands from the head of a terminally ill dragon in the Singapore Zoological Gardens , and found it secreted several different toxic proteins . The known functions of these proteins include inhibition of blood clotting, lowering of blood pressure, muscle paralysis, and
5734-444: The first facility of its kind to achieve this level of certification. The western portion of St. George's Island is dedicated to Eurasian animals. Animals in this area include Amur tigers , snow leopards , Pallas's cats , Japanese macaques , red pandas , Japanese serows , Bactrian camels , and Komodo dragons . This section was also home to four giant pandas which debuted in early May 2018. The giant pandas were on loan from
SECTION 60
#17328698623295828-533: The first hatched on 31 January 2008, while the second hatched on 1 February. Both hatchlings were males. Komodo dragons have the ZW chromosomal sex-determination system , as opposed to the mammalian XY system . Male progeny prove Flora's unfertilized eggs were haploid (n) and doubled their chromosomes later to become diploid (2n) (by being fertilized by a polar body , or by chromosome duplication without cell division ), rather than by her laying diploid eggs by one of
5922-423: The induction of hypothermia, leading to shock and loss of consciousness in envenomated prey. As a result of the discovery, the previous theory that bacteria were responsible for the deaths of Komodo victims was disputed. Other scientists have stated that this allegation of venom glands "has had the effect of underestimating the variety of complex roles played by oral secretions in the biology of reptiles, produced
6016-737: The island section of the Calgary Zoo and parts of its Canadian Wild zone (see 2013 Alberta floods ). In a 12-hour period, with flood waters rising, zoo staff managed to move 140 animals to higher ground. In the end, the only animals lost were a number of fish , two peacocks , and a pot-bellied pig . The zoo was closed for most of July 2013; the northern 60 acres of the zoo reopened to the public for August through November. The zoo fully reopened in November 2013 with new animals, exhibits, and features unveiled in 2014, including mandrills and Komodo dragons . The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has many different exhibits in its 92 acres of land. Opened in 2003,
6110-553: The large size of adults, as medium-sized prey on the islands is rare. When the young approach a kill, they roll around in faecal matter and rest in the intestines of eviscerated animals to deter these hungry adults. Komodo dragons take approximately 8 to 9 years to mature, and may live for up to 30 years. A Komodo dragon at London Zoo named Sungai laid a clutch of eggs in late 2005 after being separated from male company for more than two years. Scientists initially assumed she had been able to store sperm from her earlier encounter with
6204-583: The late Miocene , the ancestors of Komodo dragons had hybridized with the common ancestor of Australian sand monitors (including V. spenceri , V. gouldii , V. rosenbergi and V. panoptes ). Fossils from across Queensland demonstrate that the Komodo dragon was once present in Australia, with fossils spanning from the Early Pliocene (~3.8 million years ago) to the Middle Pleistocene , with
6298-568: The leaves to clean their mouth ... Unlike people have been led to believe, they do not have chunks of rotting flesh from their meals on their teeth, cultivating bacteria." They do have a slashing bite, which normally includes a dose of their neurotoxin venom and anticoagulant saliva. Komodo dragons do not wait for prey to die and track it at a distance, as vipers do; observations of them hunting deer, boar and in some cases buffalo reveal that they kill prey in less than half an hour. The observation of prey dying of sepsis would then be explained by
6392-421: The low-lying habitats and valleys that the Komodo dragon depends on, as Komodo dragons do not range into the higher-altitude regions of the islands they inhabit. Based on projections, climate change will lead to a decline in suitable habitat of 8.4%, 30.2%, or 71% by 2050 depending on the climate change scenario . Without effective conservation actions, populations on Flores are extirpated in all scenarios, while in
6486-578: The more extreme scenarios, only the populations on Komodo and Rinca persist in highly reduced numbers. Rapid climate change mitigation is crucial for conserving the species in the wild. Other scientists have disputed the conclusions about the effects of climate change on Komodo dragon populations. Under Appendix I of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), commercial international trade of Komodo dragon skins or specimens
6580-484: The morning after. The Komodo dragon stays in the shade during the hottest part of the day and hunts in the afternoon. These special resting places, usually located on ridges with cool sea breezes, are marked with droppings and are cleared of vegetation. They serve as strategic locations from which to ambush deer. Komodo dragons are apex predators . They are carnivores; although they have been considered as eating mostly carrion, they will frequently ambush live prey with
6674-519: The natives of Komodo Island , it is referred to as ora , buaya darat ('land crocodile'), or biawak raksasa ('giant monitor'). Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA shows the Komodo dragon to be the closest relative ( sister taxon ) of the Australian lace monitor ( V. varius ), with their common ancestor diverging from a lineage that gave rise to the crocodile monitor ( Varanus salvadorii ) of New Guinea . A 2021 study showed that during
6768-485: The natural instinct of water buffalos , who are not native to the islands where the Komodo dragon lives, to run into water after escaping an attack. The warm, faeces-filled water would then cause the infections. The study used samples from 16 captive dragons (10 adults and six neonates) from three US zoos. Researchers have isolated a powerful antibacterial peptide from the blood plasma of Komodo dragons, VK25. Based on their analysis of this peptide, they have synthesized
6862-423: The nests of orange-footed scrubfowl (a moundbuilder or megapode ), 20% on ground level and 20% in hilly areas. The females make many camouflage nests/holes to prevent other dragons from eating the eggs. Nests typically house one female, however a study found evidence of two females occasionally occupying the same den. Clutches contain an average of 20 eggs, which have an incubation period of 7–8 months. Hatching
6956-534: The occurrence of World War II, not resuming until the 1950s and 1960s, when studies examined the Komodo dragon's feeding behavior, reproduction, and body temperature. At around this time, an expedition was planned in which a long-term study of the Komodo dragon would be undertaken. This task was given to the Auffenberg family, who stayed on Komodo Island for 11 months in 1969. During their stay, Walter Auffenberg and his assistant Putra Sastrawan captured and tagged more than 50 Komodo dragons. Research from
7050-424: The result of unprovoked attacks by atypical individuals who lost their fear of humans. Volcanic activity, earthquakes, loss of habitat, fire, tourism, loss of prey due to poaching , and illegal poaching of the dragons themselves have all contributed to the vulnerable status of the Komodo dragon. A major future threat to the species is climate change via both aridification and sea level rise , which can affect
7144-557: The serrations have a dentine core and a very thin enamel outer layer. This is the same type of dentition observed in many extinct theropod dinosaurs. The teeth of the insectivorous juveniles in contrast are barely recurved, with fewer and less well-developed serrations that lack dentine cores. A 2024 study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that Komodo dragons have orange, iron -enriched coatings on their tooth serrations and tips, as an adaptation for maintaining
7238-413: The sharp cutting edges. This feature is also observed to a lesser degree in a few other Australasian to Asian monitor species, though notably absent in a few other species from that range. Teeth are quickly replaced every 40 days, while maintaining up to 5 replacement teeth for each tooth position at any given time. This high rate of replacement and large number of replacement teeth is similar to that of
7332-427: The tongue that connects to the lungs allows it to breathe while swallowing. After eating up to 80% of its body weight in one meal, it drags itself to a sunny location to speed digestion, as the food could rot and poison the dragon if left undigested in its stomach for too long. Because of their slow metabolism, large dragons can survive on as few as 12 meals a year. After digestion, the Komodo dragon regurgitates
7426-563: The victims were local villagers living around the national park. The Komodo dragon is classified by the IUCN as Endangered and is listed on the IUCN Red List . The species' sensitivity to natural and human-made threats has long been recognized by conservationists, zoological societies, and the Indonesian government. Komodo National Park was founded in 1980 to protect Komodo dragon populations on islands including Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. Later,
7520-693: The villagers of Komodo to move their graves from sandy to clay ground, and pile rocks on top of them, to deter the lizards. Dwarf species of Stegodon (a proboscidean related to living elephants) are suggested to have been a primary prey item of the Komodo dragon during the Pleistocene , prior to the introduction of their modern ungulate prey, which were only introduced to the islands in the Holocene , around 10-7,000 years ago. The Komodo dragon drinks by sucking water into its mouth via buccal pumping (a process also used for respiration), lifting its head, and letting
7614-476: The water run down its throat. Although previous studies proposed that Komodo dragon saliva contains a variety of highly septic bacteria that would help to bring down prey, research in 2013 suggested that the bacteria in the mouths of Komodo dragons are ordinary and similar to those found in other carnivores. Komodo dragons have good mouth hygiene. To quote Bryan Fry: "After they are done feeding, they will spend 10 to 15 minutes lip-licking and rubbing their head in
7708-453: The wild, their range has been reduced by human encroachment and is likely to contract further from the effects of climate change ; hence, they are listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List . They are protected under Indonesian law , and Komodo National Park was founded in 1980 to aid protection efforts. Komodo dragons were first documented by Europeans in 1910, when rumors of a "land crocodile" reached Lieutenant van Steyn van Hensbroek of
7802-577: The winter months. Prior to the 2013 flooding, the zoo also had an area section dedicated to South American animals such as giant anteaters , red-bellied piranhas and various New World monkeys , as well as a number of birds including several species of macaw and two Andean condors . There also used to be an Australian animal portion, notorious for the Creatures of the Night exhibit, mostly consisting of various nocturnal animals such as bats . Also present were
7896-451: The winter. On winter days when the temperature is between +5 °C and -25 °C without wind above 20 km/h, the king penguins go on scheduled walks for exercise and enrichment. The zoo contains a flock of Chilean flamingos next to the enclosure containing both a herd of alpacas and greater rheas . Indian peafowl are allowed to venture around openly and freely across the zoo grounds, and are taken to an off-site facility for
7990-556: The youngest confirmed records of the species in Australia dating to at latest 330,000 years ago. In Australia, it coexisted with the even larger monitor species Varanus priscus also known as megalania, the largest terrestrial lizard ever. The oldest records of the Komodo dragon on Flores date to around 1.4 million years ago, during the Early Pleistocene . Additionally, Pleistocene fossils of Varanus found in Java and Timor may belong to
8084-447: The zoo are in danger of extinction. Other species are considered "ambassadors" for endangered species. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo uses a team of educators including animal keepers, interpreters, teachers, and volunteers to increase awareness among visitors about the beauty of nature and threats to wildlife. Each year the zoo's formal programs connect directly with more than 575,000 adults and children. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
8178-565: The zoo developed a 36-point plan that included improving animal care procedures and collection planning, addressing staffing issues like training and structure, enhancing security systems and safety drills, and upgrading aging zoo infrastructure. Later that year, the zoo hired noted animal welfare specialist, Dr. Jake Veasey, who has since instituted major changes and spearheaded new investment in animal facilities. Additional incidents and animal deaths also include: Komodo dragon The Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis ), also known as
8272-477: The zoo was opened. The zoo features endemic as well as endangered animals of Guyana. The zoo received criticism in 2010 for not fitting the standard of modern zoos. The high expense of overhaul and lack of funding and private sector support have been an issue. The Calgary Zoo has partnered with Guyana Zoo as "sister" zoos. This Guyana article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Calgary Zoo The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
8366-470: Was 3.13 m (10 ft 3 in) long and weighed 166 kg (366 lb), including its undigested food. The largest wild specimen had a length 3.04 m (10 ft), a snout-vent length (SVL) 1.54 m (5 ft 1 in) and a mass of 81.5 kg (180 lb) excluding stomach contents. The heaviest reached a mass of 87.4 kg (193 lb). The study noted that weights greater than 100 kg (220 lb) were possible but only after
8460-454: Was Calgary's first park, used by the community for picnics, relaxing, and socializing. The first collection of animals appeared on the island in 1917. The Calgary Zoological Society was established on 9 January 1929. Several animals died during floods in June 1929 when St. George's Island was swamped. Destination Africa opened in 2003 to include two new facilities The TransAlta Rain Forest and
8554-463: Was also Burden who coined the common name "Komodo dragon". Three of his specimens were stuffed and are still on display in the American Museum of Natural History . The Dutch island administration, realizing the limited number of individuals in the wild, soon outlawed sport hunting and heavily limited the number of individuals taken for scientific study. Collecting expeditions ground to a halt with
8648-661: Was awarded the Canadian Wildlife Federation's Roland Michener Conservation Award which recognizes individuals who have shown a commitment to "promote, enhance, and further the conservation of Canada's natural resources". Dr. Moehrenschlager is chair of the Reintroduction Specialist Group within the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the world's largest conservation network. He
8742-424: Was hoped that the animals could be sold for up to 500 million rupiah (around US$ 35,000) each. It was believed that the Komodo dragons had been smuggled out of East Nusa Tenggara province through the port at Ende in central Flores. In 2013, the total population of Komodo dragons in the wild was assessed as 3,222 individuals, declining to 3,092 in 2014 and 3,014 in 2015. Populations remained relatively stable on
8836-530: Was most likely responsible. Komodo dragons have long been sought-after zoo attractions, where their size and reputation make them popular exhibits. They are, however, rare in zoos because they are susceptible to infection and parasitic disease if captured from the wild, and do not readily reproduce in captivity. A pair of Komodo dragons was displayed at the Bronx Zoo in New York in September 1926, but they only lasted
#328671