Charlie, Chattanooga Zoo Komodo dragon, passes away

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Zoo has shared their Komodo dragon, Charlie, has passed away.

They say Zookeepers noticed that she was unusually lethargic and not keeping down food, only to pass away the following day.

They say the necropsy results revealed that she had an ovarian cyst burst, which is a life-threatening emergency situation in Komodo dragons that progresses very rapidly and is nearly impossible to detect beforehand.

Reproductive diseases are very common with female Komodo dragons, leading them to have a significantly lower life expectancy than males, Chattanooga Zoo says.

“Her favorite hobby was digging underground tunnels and sending huge plumes of dirt and dust into the air, requiring major cleanups! She strongly opposed rain and would run inside if it started drizzling. I always liked to say she was made of sugar.”

– Keeper Will said.

They say Charlie spent her days eating her favorite snacks like chicken, destroying (and wearing!) boxes, sunbathing, and endearing Chattanoogans to this very special species.

Charlie leaves behind a legacy, including three sons.

In 2019, Charlie contributed to the endangered Komodo dragon species’ repopulation initiatives by producing three live hatchlings: Jasper, Onyx, and Flint.

“Charlie often chose to spend time with her keepers behind-the-scenes and enjoyed getting to meet guests from across the country. She warmed the hearts of so many Zoo staff, volunteers, and guests every day. She was greatly loved and will be dearly missed”

– Keeper Sam said.