LONDON ZOO.

Thames Star, Volume LXI, Issue 16991, 30 September 1927, Page 6

LONDON ZOO.

GIANT EAST INDIAN LIZARD. "DRAGON'' ON A LEAD. LONDON, Aug. 20. " One of the pair of Komodo "dragons" received a few weeks ago at the Zoological Gardens, was found on arrival to be suffering from a slight infection of the jaw, and was therefore not put on exhibition in the new reptile house with his companion, but was relegated to quarters' in the Zoo's hospital. The giant Bft. long lizard at first proved a rather difficult patient, and showed a certain amount of resentment against those in charge when receiving

treatment. He soon learnt, however, that against the united forces of four or five keepers resistance was useless,

and after a few days gave up the unequal struggle, and allowed himself to be handled without attempting to' break loose. So tame has the reptile become that he now allows himself to be caressed and even led about on a lead like a dog. Lately he has been spending the entire day on the lawn, tethered to a tree stump at the end of a long chain, and in future, weather permitting, he will be daily taken out in the gardens. The Komodo dragon, the lizard which caused considerable interest when described by Sir Alan Cobham at the time that he was flying to Australia, is much feared in its native land, having the reputation of being very ferocious. The reptile was ( first reported upon in 1912 by Mr Van Steyn, the civil administrator of the island of Flores, who on being informed of the existence of a monster lizard proceeded to Komodo, where he captured several specimens, the largest of which measured just over 13ft. A fossil monitor lizard of great size has been described, and authorities consider that it is not altogether impossible that it is identical with the living Komodo specimen exhibited at the present time in Regent Park. LIVELY I BABT ZEBRA. Of all the animals recently born at

the Zoo none has been made welcome than the Grevy's zebra. It is the first Grevy to be born there for over nine-

teen years. The youngster, a male, was on his feet and ready to welcome- the keeper when the house was opened in the morning on which he. was born. Because of his activity and skittishness the young zebra has been named "Fireworks."- Throughout the day the zebra house remained closed, and when anyone went to look at him, "Firevo-cs" gave an exhibition of dancing. So lively was he that an extra supply of straw had to be put downso save him from injury by slipping on the smooth concrete floor.

The Grevy's zebra comes from Kenya and is the largest of the zebras. The mother of "Fireworks" is nearly as large as a horse, and is sharply marked with bands of pure black and white all over her body. "Fireworks" has a coat like that of hig mother. He is one of the healthiest and best* formed animals born at the Zoo recently.