It was with heavy hearts that we said goodbye to Hudo the 20-year-old Komodo dragon this weekend. Over the last week, his health had been compromised by an irreversible, age-related spinal issue.
Hudo hatched at the Denver Zoo in January 2003. He moved to the Indianapolis Zoo in March 2009 before coming to the Cincinnati Zoo six months later. In his 14 years here, he became a favorite of our guests and our staff. Unlike many Dragons that dull with age, Hudo remained beautifully colored. Careful monitoring of his diet kept him lean and youthful looking, even as he aged.
Far from the fearsome beasts of legend, Hudo’s temperament was more akin to that of a Golden Retriever, and it was common for his keepers to describe him similarly. “He’s a good boy” they’d often say. Hudo’s temperament endeared him to his keepers, creating the kind of bonds that usually exist between mammals and their keepers.
They were close enough to notice when Hudo’s vision worsened a few years ago. They worked with the vet staff to arrange double cataract surgery for him, which was a success and surely improved his quality of life in his last years.
Hudo had another claim to fame in addition to being the first Komodo dragon in the world to undergo (double) cataract corrective surgery. His grandfather, Naga, was given to former President George H.W. Bush in 1990 by President Suharto of Indonesia. In Indonesia, the Komodo dragon is considered a national treasure, which made this an astonishing gift. President Bush gave him to Cincinnati Zoo because of its success in mating many other endangered and rare species.
Naga was the largest Komodo dragon in the western hemisphere. At one point, he weighed about 260 pounds and reached over nine feet. He passed away due to old age. He was the most successful reproductive male Komodo dragon in Zoo history, siring up to 55 hatchlings! Due to his fruitfulness, his spirit and offspring live on at Zoos nationwide.
Visitors will still be able to see a Komodo dragon at the Cincinnati Zoo. A 1 ½-year-old male named Frunobulax arrived from the Bronx Zoo in May and can be found in the Reptile House. He weighs just over a pound but will grow to be 100 pounds or more.
He will not take the place of Hudo in our hearts, but he will earn a place of his own.
Very touching tribute. Hudo was always a joy to see. Y’all did wonderfully making his golden years greater.
Hudo was a favorite for me and all my kids for many years. We will miss him greatly!
Ditto
God bless you sweet boy.
Hudo was my favorite animal at the Cincinnati Zoo (I always made my whole family go see him every time we went). My daughter will get to grow up with Frunobulax but Hudo will always be what captured my imagination as a child. Great Tribute.
So sorry did not no him but I no about him reading this to all of you who took care of him my prays are with all of yous god bless
Goodbye you sweet beautiful mouth full of bacteria.
You inspired a lifelong fascination into reptilian life and evolution to my sons.
Grandson of The Naga, til we meet again.
Oh Brother
[email protected]…. It’s always sad to lose an animal. I volunteered at the Zoo and over the years, various animals have passed away.Some. are buried on the Zoo grounds.
RIP Hudo ,may you roam the beautiful gardens of Heaven. Good bye, Good Boy.
My favorite lizard another awesome creation of our creator. Maybe in the afterlife we can meet him along with who knows.
I never met you as I live out West. I’m sure I would have loved you too. I love all of God’s creatures. You had a good, long life and taught those you met many things. You will be missed more than you could ever know. RIP you big, sweet boy.
We were at the zoo just last week and he was so neat to watch him move he will be missed hopefully you can get him replaced
Oh boy!!! 🙁
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