Nashville Zoo is excited to continue supporting species around the world and work with local organizations to save endangered wildlife. In late February into early March of this year, our Assistant Curator of Ectotherm Nick Hanna traveled to Komodo National Park to help with hands-on Komodo dragon conservation work.
Komodo Island | Nick and KSP team weighing a wild Komodo dragon
Komodo Survival Program
Nick spent five days on Komodo Island, part of Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and worked hand in hand with the Komodo Survival Program (KSP) team. KSP is an Indonesian-based non-profit organization working to protect and conserve Komodo dragons and their native habitat.
During his time, Nick assisted with Komodo dragon population monitoring by checking animal traps in selected study site areas around the island to collect and record data on certain animals. This data sheds light on this endangered species and helps the KSP team better understand how to successfully manage their existing population. These field days often required Nick and the team to hike 10+ miles through the island’s forest for them to reach the animal traps.
Nick carrying the mobile trap | The Komodo dragon trap set up
Nick’s Memorable Moments
Nick explained how this trip put into perspective just how fragile the ecosystem of Komodo National Park is and that there are so many integral parts in the survival of all the species that live there. Walking alongside the wildlife on Komodo island and being immersed in the sights and sounds of the environment are memories that will stick with Nick for a lifetime.
“Holding a baby dragon in my hands after we obtained the measurements that were needed will always be a surreal moment for me in my career,” said Nick. Nick is thrilled that he got to fullfill this lifelong dream to see Komodo dragons in the wild and participate in conservation work to protect them.
Nick measuring a juvenile dragon | Komodo dragon on the beach
Nashville Zoo and Komodo Survival Program
Nashville Zoo financially supports Komodo Survival Program through monetary donations. The Zoo’s donations allowed KSP to purchase a new boat to transport researchers and supplies to the islands where the population monitoring occurs. Prior to the boat, the transport to the islands would take around three to four hours, and, with the boat, the time has been cut down to an hour. Along with the boat purchase, Nashville Zoo’s funding was used to purchase carriers to move traps between monitoring locations. These carriers make it easier to move the traps and allow the team to move them more efficiently.
Boat funded by Nashville Zoo | Close-up of the boat's logos
Collaborations between Zoos and non-profits allows organizations, like KSP, to achieve their mission and make a broader impact in the realm of conservation. For more information on Nashville Zoo’s conservation efforts, visit www.nashvillezoo.org/conservation.