Considered geriatric, the world’s oldest Komodo dragon in captivity has died at the Calgary Zoo at age 30.
Loka, a female Komodo dragon, left the Toronto Zoo in 2014 bound for Calgary. Veterinarians cared for her in her old age, but the the past two weeks, her health deteriorated.
“During the last 10 days her appetite dropped away, and following diagnostic work and end of life care, she passed away on July 25, 2016. She will be missed by all who cared for her,” to zoo said in a statement on Tuesday.
The next oldest dragons left in captivity are 22-years-old, the facility said.
Right now, there are an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 Komodo dragons left in the wild. They are listed as vulnerable on the World Conservation Union’s Red List.
Zoo-goers posted their condolences and memories of the rare Komodo dragon on Facebook.
Main Photo Calgary Zoo/Facebook
