Otters Born, Elderly Komodo Dragon Dies At Woodland Park Zoo

SEATTLE, WA — This week, the Woodland Park Zoo said goodbye to one of its oldest residents just as zookeepers were busy watching over some of the zoo's newest residents.

On Tuesday, the zoo euthanized Selat, a 20-year-old Komodo dragon who was living with age-related health problems like osteoarthritis and joint deterioration. His death came after the birth last week of four river otter pups to Valkyrie and Ziggy, two 5-year-old otters living at the zoo.

Selat was not the oldest Komodo in the world — that honor belongs Calgary Zoo's Loka, who died in 2016 at age 30 — but he was very old for the species. Veterinarians were caring for him with a combination of therapies, including acupuncture and massage.

"It’s hard to lose any animal and Selat is no exception. He was a very impressive and good-natured lizard, weighing in at 165 pounds," Woodland Park Zoo animal curator Jennifer Pramuk, PhD, said in a statement.

Selat is survived by Berani, 6, the zoo's other Komodo dragon.

The four otter pups born on March 16 are the first ever born at the zoo. The pups are completely helpless at birth, according to the zoo. They are blind in the first month of their life, and only weigh between 10 and 12 ounces.

The pups are in seclusion with their mom, Valkyrie, and are in good health.

"We’re happy to report each pup has a full belly, a good sign they’re nursing. She’s being a good mom and providing attentive maternal care," animal care manager Deanna DeBo said in a statement.