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Keep up with news and features of interest to the reptile and amphibian community on the kingsnake.com blog. We cover breaking stories from the mainstream and scientific media, user-submitted photos and videos, and feature articles and photos by Jeff Barringer, Richard Bartlett, and other herpetologists and herpetoculturists.

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Monday, August 16 2010

Komodo lizard death may have been due to West Nile Virus

By Cindy Steinle
Mon, August 16 2010 at 13:12
West Nile Virus may have taken the life of Krakatoa, a nine-year-old Komodo dragon in St. Augustine, Florida.

Krakatoa was one of the coolest animals I ever had the honor to meet. A gorgeous blue and green monster of a lizard, Krakatoa was as docile as my cat.

From the St. Augustine Record:
"We're leaning toward it being something like encephalitis or West Nile Virus," Brueggen said Sunday.

Brueggen said the death is a shock to staff at the 117-year-old alligator farm.

"He's a young dragon," Brueggen said, still struggling with referring to Krakatoa in the past tense. "Something went wrong. It wasn't old age."

He will be sorely missed by many, including several folks here at Kingsnake.com. Our condolences go to the staff at St. Augustine who grew so close to this guy.

Several photos from our visit with Krakatoa last year can be seen after the bump. Kingsnake.com will still be making our annual trek to St. Augustine Alligator Farm this year and I will be sharing that trip here on our blog with you.

My first meeting with Krakatoa with Curator Kevin Torregrosa at my side.

Briefly thinking of white socks and bare feet as he sniffs around my toes.

He was a man on a mission and I was enthralled with him.

Curator Kevin Torregrosa and Krakatoa.

Kingsnake.com Tech Guru Clint Gilders gets his time with Krakatoa.

Just a stunning animal with such amazing awareness.


Once again our hearts break along with those at St. Augustine.
    
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