Melaka:The Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first zoological conservation center in the country to successfully breed 10 green anacondas in captivity. The anacondas were born on October 5 to a six-year-old female named Diana.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this successful breeding further solidifies the sanctuary's status as the record holder for the largest green anaconda population in Malaysia. Gerard Wong, the sanctuary's managing director, highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting that breeding green anacondas, which are native to the Amazon in South America, requires substantial expertise and strict environmental controls.

Previously, a green anaconda named Jasmine gave birth in 2020, and now her offspring, Diana, continues the legacy. Diana, who measures nearly 10 feet in length and weighs about 13 kilograms, is notable because green anacondas are ovoviviparous. This means that their eggs develop and hatch inside the mother's body before the young are born alive, a departure from most other snake species.

Diana underwent a 190-day gestation period and fasted during this time. The young anacondas are currently under close observation and are not yet available for public viewing. Initially, hopes for breeding rested on another female, Amber, who produced 50 to 60 eggs on August 10, but none were successfully fertilized. The breeding process with Amber was documented on the sanctuary's social media, and Gerard acknowledged the anticipation and eventual disappointment of many Malaysians who followed the updates.

Gerard emphasized that the 10 baby anacondas are in good health, although their sexes have not yet been determined. He noted the challenges of importing green anacondas due to logistical difficulties and high costs, making the successful captive breeding crucial for maintaining the species' genetics in Malaysia over the next 20 to 30 years.

The birth of these anacondas brings the total number of green and yellow anacondas at the sanctuary to over 40. Gerard remarked that this milestone underscores the importance of systematic animal care, monitoring, and management. The records kept during the gestation period will provide valuable data for future education, research, and breeding management.