Cause of death in St. Augustine Alligator Farm Komodo Dragon revealed

When Krakatoa the Komodo dragon passed away this summer, my heart fell. I had the priveledge to get up close and personal to the amazing boy on a visit to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. But questions still remained as to what would kill such a young, seemingly healthy animal. Now, the St. Augustine Record reports:

Dr. Darryl Heard said Krakatoa was a young lizard when he died, which could have put him at risk for viral infections, as young animals have yet to develop immunity against the diseases. Heard is the primary veterinarian for the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and the zoological medicine service chief at the Department of Small Animal Clinical Science at the University of Florida. Krakatoa had minor changes in his spinal cord, which could have been on-going damage from a viral disease, Heard said. Other signs of neurological damage included some spinal cord lesions and also a weakness in the lizard's legs, leading Krakatoa to position his legs awkwardly, Heard said.

Steps are being taken to prevent illness in Tambora, the 3-year-old female originally planned to mate with Krakatoa.

Brueggen said the results from Krakatoa's necropsy are frustrating, mostly because it doesn't allow the doctors or specialist to focus on how to prevent a certain disease or virus from affecting Tambora. Heard and Brueggen both said Tambora will be vaccinated for equine encephalitis and West Nile virus to prevent either disease from causing the lizard harm. Krakatoa tested negative for both viruses, but both the doctor and Brueggen said it was a preventive measure.

For the full article, click here.