Why is Indonesia planning to loan two Komodo dragons to Japan’s iZoo?

Shizuoka — Indonesia plans to loan two Komodo dragons to iZoo in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, under a breeding programme announced by a Forestry Ministry conservation official.

Ahmad Munawir, a conservation official at Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry, said the animals would be sent to iZoo. The facility is described as Japan’s largest reptile- and amphibian-focused zoo, with more than 400 species and 2,000 animals.

The Jakarta Post reported that the Komodo dragons are part of a breeding programme intended to support conservation of the endangered species and strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and Japan. The report said the agreement was signed by Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni and Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Yasutomo Suzuki.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry said the broader cooperation would be followed by an implementation agreement between iZoo and Surabaya Zoo. That agreement is intended to set out arrangements for animal care, transport and monitoring.

Why the loan matters to Komodo readers

The programme places two Komodo dragons in an ex-situ conservation project outside Indonesia while the species’ conservation in its natural habitat remains the main priority, according to reporting by The Japan Times. The initiative also links Komodo conservation with cooperation between Indonesian and Japanese wildlife institutions.

RRI reported that the licensing process for the loan was underway under Indonesian regulations and mechanisms. The same report said Indonesia would lend a pair of Komodo dragons through Surabaya Zoo to iZoo for ex-situ breeding and conservation.

The exchange arrangement includes animals sent to Indonesia from Japan. Reports identified red pandas and giraffes among the animals involved, while The Japan Times also reported Aldabra giant tortoises and Japanese macaques in the broader agreement.

The Jakarta Post report was updated on September 24, 2026, and identified Ahmad Munawir as the official who said the dragons would be sent to iZoo.

Sources

• The Jakarta Post — Indonesian news report
• RRI — Indonesian public radio report on wildlife cooperation
• thestar.com.my