Surabaya Zoo (KBS) has entered into a partnership with Japan. Under this collaboration, KBS will loan a pair of Komodo dragons, while Surabaya will receive mammals in return. KBS Director of Operations and General Affairs, Nurika Widyasanti, stated that the Komodo dragons were bred at KBS and have undergone a rigorous process.
“In general, they were bred at KBS and are among the animals successfully produced there. The government is conducting assessments to ensure the breeding process at KBS will not be disrupted when the Komodo dragons are sent to Japan,” Nurika said, as quoted by detikJatim on Thursday (April 30, 2026).
She explained that although Komodo dragons are endangered and protected, the loan has been evaluated by the central government to ensure it does not disrupt breeding. The collaboration is temporary. The Komodo dragons will be loaned for five years and then returned to Indonesia. “They are a pair aged approximately 8 to 12 years,” she added. She also confirmed that any offspring produced in Japan will remain Indonesia’s property. Regarding technical arrangements, Nurika stated that the transfer is still awaiting administrative completion. She ensured that facilities in Japan have been adjusted to meet the Komodo dragons’ needs, including temperature control systems.
“The Director and the Minister have inspected the infrastructure in Japan, including the temperature control systems,” she said.
Some animals from Japan are expected to arrive earlier and will be introduced to the public this year. Meanwhile, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi emphasized that this cooperation is a loan, not an exchange. He noted that Japan’s interest stems from KBS’s success in breeding Komodo dragons.
“Because we have successfully bred Komodo dragons, Japan has requested to borrow them, as they are the largest reptiles in the world,” he said. In return, KBS will receive animals from Japan under a loan and joint monitoring scheme. “Both parties will remain responsible for animal welfare, and monitoring will be conducted jointly,” he added.
This collaboration, which has been prepared for a decade, has now been realized. Eri hopes it will enhance KBS’s attractiveness to tourists. He also revealed that one of the animals to be sent from Japan is a red-colored mammal, although its species remains undisclosed.
Previously, the Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia and the Government of Shizuoka Prefecture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on wildlife conservation, focusing on the breeding loan of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). The MoU was signed by Raja Juli Antoni and Yasutomo Suzuki to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The agreement aims to enhance conservation efforts, strengthen bilateral relations, and raise public awareness of biodiversity. Both parties also committed to animal welfare and compliance with international regulations, including CITES. The Minister emphasized that this initiative is part of Indonesia’s green diplomacy and long-term commitment to biodiversity conservation, while also supporting education and global awareness.
The collaboration will be followed by an implementation agreement between conservation institutions, including iZoo and Surabaya Zoo, covering technical aspects such as animal care, transport, and monitoring. The Ministry of Forestry emphasized that implementation would follow national and international standards. This partnership also forms part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia–Japan relations during the state visit of Prabowo Subianto, who met with Emperor Naruhito and Sanae Takaichi to enhance bilateral cooperation.
April 30, 2026, detikTravel and Kementerian Kehutanan Indonesia
(https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-8468905/kbs-pinjamkan-sepasang-komodo-ke-jepang) (https://www.kehutanan.go.id/news/indonesia-jepang-perkuat-kerja-sama-konservasi-satwa-liar-melalui-breeding-loan-komodo-1)