18-Year-Old Komodo Dragon Dies At Pittsburgh Zoo
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - "Loveable" is not a term that comes to mind when speaking of Komodo Dragons, but it does apply to the 235-pound lizard who drew visitors to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.
Noname died following weekend surgery to remove an intestinal blockage.
Though Komodo Dragons are among the few animals that will track and eat humans, Zoo spokesman Henry Kacprzyk says Noname was gentle.
"He always allowed us to go in and he liked being scratched, petted. We did things like trim his nails and radiograph him. Drew blood. All while standing there, talking with him. Basically talking. And he seemed to be accepting. So he was a unique Komodo Dragon."
Noname was handraised at the National Zoo in Washington, D. C. His mother was a gift to President Reagan from the Prince of Indonesia where the reptiles are national treasures. He was transported to Pittsburgh in 1997 at the age of three.
Kacprzyk says the zoo will probably get another Komodo Dragon, but it won't be the same.
"For Pittsburghers, you might see another Komodo Dragon. But for those who work at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, we recognize the relationship we had probably won't be there."
Results from a necropsy will not be available for weeks.
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