Not a lizard – a dragon!
The critically endangered Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon was rediscovered after not having been seen for over 50 years. In fact, these mighty-little dragons were thought to be extinct.
However, news that the Tympanocryptis pinguicolla has been found has certainly excited scientists, conservationists, and dragon lovers across the world.
From finding one dragon, to then finding several more, the recovery team had enough Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons to organise a breeding population. Last year the team embarked on a conservation breeding program to try to restore these tiny but rather handsome little dragons in a world first.
The Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons are only 15 cm long when fully grown, light brown in colour and have three thin white stripes going down their body, whilst darker bands run across it.
The dragons were very happy with their new environment at Melbourne Zoo and soon dragon eggs began appearing, much to the delight of the recovery team involved.
From only several breeding pairs, 16 male and 13 female dragons to be exact, the Zoo began counting the hatchlings which started appearing. Each one of them precious in the fight against extinction.
Zoos Victoria now have an incredible 79 in total. The new hatchlings are kept in climate-controlled conditions and cared for by a specialist keeper at the zoo before their eventual carefully-planned release back into their natural habitat.
In the wild, these diminutive dragons easily fall victim to non-native animals which prey on them. Also, their grassland habitat has been disturbed by urban growth. The hope is that they can be brought back from the brink of extinction with the help of a team of experts.
Fortunately, the specific hatchling nursery and expert keeper needed to support this work were made available through a $246,000 donation from American breakthrough genetic engineering and de-extinction company Colossal Biosciences.
Other conservation efforts to keep this dragon from becoming a mere myth are currently underway. These include development of a conservation plan, undertaking surveys in a bid to find new habitats and more populations, and genetics research to support further discoveries.
Without a strong program of investigation and work, the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons will have an even harder time beating the odds to survive.
The rediscovery of the dragon has excited zoologists and politicians who have recognised the importance of this conservation program and the learnings it provides to further other conservation efforts.
The Albanese and Allan Governments have invested $188,000 towards specially trained detection dogs to sniff out more populations of the dragon.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos (who last year took over from Minister Lily D’Ambrosio in overseeing conservation and environment) recognises the significance of the rediscovery, “These hatchlings are the first generation of Victorian grassland earless dragons born through a breeding program and are key to creating a thriving population into the future.”
Linda Colombo, the acting general manager for visitor experience, immigrated from Italy to Australia only a few years ago. She is particularly pleased to be part of this historic moment at Zoos Victoria and relishes the opportunity to share it with the community.
Of course, children are also delighted to learn about the rediscovery and the importance of ensuring a balanced ecosystem.
Cugine Maria and Bianca, who recently visited the zoo, learnt about this peculiar dragon which, as its name suggests, lacks ears and inner eardrum. Their assessment of the dragons was that they were “piccoli (small) but very cute”. They were also enthralled at the difference between a lizard and a dragon.
The cousins did ask their parents if they were allowed to take the dragons home. Despite their disappointment at being told this was not possible, they understood the importance of the conservation efforts and promised the dragons they would visit them regularly at the Keeper Kids area of the Melbourne Zoo.
Even at a young primary school age, the girls understood the importance of ensuring that wildlife is safe, and habitats respected. They were amazed to learn that in fact, these little dragons used spider burrows as their homes. An example of how species rely on each other for survival.
For the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon recovery team leading conservation efforts for this species, there is a lot of work to do. The recovery of the dragon is a complex combination of ensuring several self-sustaining populations of dragons living in specific conservation grassland areas. This will mean that dangers such as feral cats, fires, floods, and natural disease are all taken into consideration when planning their return to the wild that resembles their original habitat.
The recovery effort is a collaboration between Zoos Victoria, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, the Australian Government’s NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, Museums Victoria, the Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation and Wildlife Profiles Pty Ltd. An example of strong conservation partnerships.
CEO, Dr. Jenny Gray, is very pleased with the work so far, “It’s incredible to see what has been achieved by the recovery team in only a period of months since the rediscovery of the species.”
The work continues in earnest. Dr. Gray, like many at Zoos Victoria and visitors such as Maria and Bianca, are keen to see the next generation of Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon this new year.
Indeed, turning the myth of the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons into reality.
Curious to know the difference between a lizard and a dragon? Something to discover when you visit these mighty little beasts.
Dr. Teresa De Fazio is a Board Member of Zoos Victoria as well as a regular writer for Il Globo.
