Ellen Trout Zoo Mourns Loss of Beloved Komodo Dragon, Rajah

Rajah, a male Komodo dragon and longtime resident of Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin, has passed away. Officials at the zoo confirmed his death, which happened on Tuesday, September 15, just weeks shy of his 28th birthday. Rajah was hatched at the Miami MetroZoo in 1998, and came to Ellen Trout Zoo in March 2008. For more than 18 years, he was a familiar presence at the zoo and became a favorite of generations of guests and staff.

 How Long Do Komodo Dragons Usually Live?

In captivity, Komodo dragons have a lifespan between 20 and 30 years, so, at nearly 28 years old, Rajah had reached an exceptionally advanced age for his species. His longevity was a testament to the dedicated care he received throughout his life. As one of the largest living lizard species in the world, and one of the few with a venemous bite, Komodo dragons have long fascinated zoo visitors, and Rajah was no exception. At approximately 10 feet long and 200 pounds, he was an impressive animal, but to those who cared for him, he was much more than his size or species.

Are Komodo Dragons Endangered?

Definitely so. It's estimated that around 3500 Komodo dragons remain worldwide, most of those living within national parks islands in Indonesia. The good news is that number has increased by 500 over the past 5 years. In 1981, the estimated world population of Komodo dragons was 5000. Roughly 125 of these large lizards are in accredited zoos in the United States.

The Ellen Trout Zoo

This Lufkin Zoo has been open since 1967. It features animals such as lions, jaguars, hippos, giraffes, along with numerous birds and snakes. It's open everyday from 9 am to 5 pm. Entry is $10 for adults, seniors and military tickets are $8, and kids 4-11 get in for $5.