Indonesia will loan two Komodo dragons, popularly known as “dragons”, to Japan's Shizuoka prefecture, where it is hoped the endangered reptiles will be able to breed, Reuters reports.
Indonesia's Forestry Ministry said the animal exchange would increase “both sides' contributions to wildlife protection and conservation, as well as public awareness of biodiversity,” adding that the program aims to breed Komodo dragons, which the IUCN Red List classifies as an endangered species.
Ahmad Munawir, a conservation official at the ministry, told Reuters that one male and one female will be sent to a zoo in Shizuoka. In return, the prefecture will send more animals to Indonesia, including red pandas and giraffes, Ahmad said.
The red panda is a cat-sized relative of raccoons and ferrets. Although previously thought to be a relative of the panda bear, molecular analysis has shown that it is not part of the bear family.
Komodo dragon loan criticized by PETA
The agreement was signed last week ahead of a visit to Japan by President Prabowo Subianto, who met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday.
Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said on Tuesday that dragons should never be treated as “diplomatic bargaining chips”.
“Shipping these highly intelligent animals overseas for captive breeding only reinforces the dangerous myth that conservation can take place within the walls of zoos, while any cubs born there would be condemned to a lifetime of captivity,” said Jason Baker, president of PETA Asia, adding that dragons should remain in their natural habitat.
Indonesia is home to more than 3,000 Komodo dragons, according to government data. These reptiles are the largest lizards in the world, reaching a length of about 3 meters. They have a yellow forked tongue and a venomous bite.
Japanese station TV Shizuoka reported that the two dragons could arrive as early as June for the breeding program. Ahmad said they will be sent after the signing of a business-to-business agreement between zoos in Indonesia and Japan.
