The introduction of feral cats and foxes contributed to the decline of Tympanocryptis pinguicolla.
The Victorian grassland earless dragon (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla) a species that was thought to have gone extinct in 1969 but was rediscovered earlier this year, has gained support from Colossal Biosciences, a genetic engineering and “de-extinction” company to help with funding, housing and care for these lizards as
scientists works on an insurance and conservation breeding program at the Melbourne Zoo.
In addition to interim quarantine housing and care, the Dallas-based company partner with the Museums Victoria Research Institute in an effort to sequence the genome of the species and map out genetic relatedness of captive lizards to help diversify the gene pool of the lizards that the program intends to breed. In addition, the partnership will support the recovery work of the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon Recovery Team, growing the dragon’s wild populations and protecting and restoring the reptile’s wild habitats in hopes that more lizards can be reintroduced into the wild in the future.
Long Thought Extinct Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon Rediscovered
“Our focus includes the de-extinction of select lost species, the preservation of endangered species, and the restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity,” Colossal CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm said in a statement announcing the partnership. “We are really excited about helping to establish the means to create an insurance and conservation breeding program, for the once-feared lost earless dragon.
The Victoria grassland earless monitor has been decimated b feral cats and foxes. Photo via Zoos Victoria press release
The Victorian grassland earless dragon was once abundant in their grassland habitat west of Melbourne, but the introduction of feral cats and foxes contributed to their decline, as well as loss of habitat. Feral cats are responsible for the deaths of about 466 million reptiles every year in Australia, according to a 2018 study.
Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon Information
The Victorian grasslands earless dragon reaches maturity in just a few months and is capable of reproducing the year that they are born. They spend time in a dormant, inactive state during the winter but if it doesn’t get too cold, they can stay active throughout the entire year. Zoos Victoria says studies of the reptile indicate that wild dragons might reproduce only one time in their lifetime. Zoos Victoria is seeking donations to fund research of this reptile. The funds will also support the zoo’s Wildlife Conservation Master Plan 2019-2024. You can donate at zoo.org.au/donate
