Ep 9. Training Dragons

In The Zoo season 2 episode 9, titled "Training Dragons," viewers are taken on a journey to see how the team of experts at the Bronx Zoo work to train and care for some of the world's most remarkable creatures - the Komodo dragon.

The episode begins with a look at the enormous southwestern corner of Indonesia where the Komodo dragon makes its home. The team at the Bronx Zoo has been working tirelessly for years to protect and conserve these creatures, who are listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). With only about 5,000 dragons left in the wild, it's more important than ever to ensure that these creatures are able to thrive.

At the Bronx Zoo, experts like herpetologist Kevin Torregrosa have been working for years to establish relationships with the resident Komodo dragons. This relationship-building is integral to their work, as it allows the team to care for the dragons' health and well-being, moving them when necessary, and, most importantly, working with them on medical exams and procedures.

As Torregrosa explains, the challenge of working with Komodo dragons lies not in their sheer size (they can weigh up to 200 pounds!), but in their unpredictability and sensitivity to changes in their environment. Komodo dragons are highly intelligent creatures, with powerful senses that allow them to detect even the smallest changes in their surroundings.

To work with the dragons, the team employs a range of training techniques, including positive reinforcement and trust-building exercises. These processes enable the team to safely perform regular medical exams and procedures that are crucial to the dragons' continued health.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of the dragons who call the Bronx Zoo home. We watch as the experts feed the dragons, check on their health, and perform various medical procedures. We also see how the team is working to prepare the dragons for a move to a new exhibit, one that is more natural and expansive than their current home.

In addition to the challenges of caring for the dragons, the team faces another obstacle: misinformation. Komodo dragons have long been regarded as dangerous creatures, with stories of their deadly bites circulating in popular culture for decades. But as Torregrosa and his team underscore, these stories are largely unfounded. In reality, Komodo dragons are much more afraid of humans than we are of them. They rarely attack humans, and when they do, it is usually in self-defense.

Ultimately, "Training Dragons" is a fascinating and illuminating look at one of the world's most impressive creatures and the team responsible for their well-being. While the episode leaves viewers with a renewed appreciation for these magnificent animals, it also underscores the important role that conservation efforts and scientific inquiry play in preserving the earth's biodiversity.