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Komodo Dragon Eats Plush Toys: A Close Call
11 Mar
Summary
- Komodo dragon Mario swallowed two stuffed plushies thrown by macaques.
- Veterinarians performed an emergency procedure to remove the toys.
- Mario has recovered and is in good health following the incident.
On March 2nd, Mario, a rare Komodo dragon at Singapore Zoo, ingested two large stuffed plushies after wild macaques threw them into his habitat. When Mario did not expel the indigestible items within 24 hours, the Mandai Wildlife Group's veterinary team initiated emergency procedures. Dr. Heng Yirui led the effort, first attempting an endoscopic removal for 90 minutes, which proved unsuccessful. The team then resorted to a more direct method, with Dr. Heng manually extracting the plush toys. This critical intervention prevented potentially fatal intestinal blockages. Mario has since been given a clean bill of health and is recovering well. The incident highlights the challenges of shared habitats and the dedication of veterinary staff in ensuring animal welfare.
