TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In a delicate pre-dawn operation, Taipei Zoo (台北市立動物園) has successfully moved its massive Malayan gharial to a custom-built habitat that better mimics its natural environment. The crocodilian, affectionately named "Kulong" (酷龍) or "cool dragon" in Mandarin, was transferred Tuesday (March 25) to the zoo's Tropical Rainforest Area (熱帶雨林區) after months of careful preparation. Zoo officials highlighted the unique challenges of relocating large reptiles, noting that unlike mammals, gharials cannot undergo the gradual desensitization training that typically precedes such moves.
A team of more than 30 zoo staff assembled before sunrise at Kulong's former home in the Temperate Zone Animal Area (溫帶動物區). The carefully choreographed operation began with staff positioning a specialized transport crate in the pool before securing the powerful reptile with ropes. Despite initial resistance, Kulong eventually swam into the crate without major incident. Zoo veterinarians took advantage of the rare handling opportunity to collect blood samples and perform a physical assessment, revealing that the gharial weighed an impressive 720 kilograms — the heaviest spring measurement ever recorded for the animal.
Zoologists explained that crocodilians naturally experience seasonal weight fluctuations throughout the year. Kulong's new habitat in the Tropical Rainforest Area provides significantly more swimming space and features water that has been naturally warmed by recent favorable weather patterns. The improved environment allows visitors to better appreciate the gharial's distinctive swimming style, characterized by sinuous tail movements that propel it through water with remarkable efficiency. Zoo officials have requested that guests maintain a respectful quiet when observing the reptile, as loud noises can cause stress to the animal. The successful transfer represents another milestone in Taipei Zoo's ongoing efforts to create more naturalistic habitats for its collection of rare and endangered species.