The Honolulu Zoo said it was deeply saddened to announce the death of Doc, a beloved 32-year-old Komodo dragon.
“Doc was a beloved member of the Honolulu Zoo family,” said Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos in a statement. “His spirit brought joy to visitors and staff alike, and we are honored to have shared his journey and to continue his legacy through education and conservation.”
Komodo dragons, the world’s largest lizards, are native to Indonesia, where they are considered a national treasure. In 1988, Indonesia gifted a pair of Komodo dragons to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., making them the only members of their species to be on exhibit in the Western Hemisphere. In 1992, the National Zoo hatched the first clutch of Komodo dragons outside of Indonesia, which included Doc. The following year, Doc and his sister TW arrived at the Honolulu Zoo, where he delighted visitors and staff alike, and he was part of important conservation efforts, according to the Honolulu Zoo…