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SCIENCEWednesday 9 March 2016
Slovenia awaits birth of new generation of ‘baby dragons’
DARKO BANDIC In this Feb. 1, 2016 photo provided by Postojnska Jama, an olm egg floats in an aquarium in Posto- eggs, three of which seem
Associated Press jna Cave, Slovenia. to be developing. Biolo-
POSTOJNA, Slovenia (AP) gists say this is a good num-
— Slovenia is counting Associated Press ber, as olm eggs have a
down the days until the poor record in actually
birth of a new generation “This is something truly ex- years.” guard next to it, snapping lasting the 120 days that
of “baby dragons.” traordinary,” said biologist The olm was already in a at an intruder who tried to are needed for them to
Scientists in the Central Saso Weldt, who works at big aquarium in the cave come close. mature and hatch.
European country have the cave in northwestern when the eggs were dis- Scientists removed other “Olms are not really suc-
proudly announced that Slovenia. “Nobody has covered by chance on inhabitants from the aquar- cessful when it comes to
a female olm — a Gollum- ever witnessed (their) re- Jan. 30 by a tour guide who ium, leaving the mother reproduction,” Weldt ex-
like, lizard-sized amphibian production in nature. We noticed a little white dot alone with the eggs. plained. Two years ago,
living in an aquarium in the even haven’t seen an attached to the fish tank’s In the weeks that followed, a Postojna olm also laid
country’s biggest cave — animal younger than two wall. A pregnant olm stood the olm laid a total of 57 eggs, but they fell prey to
has laid eggs. They have other cave inhabitants. So,
described it as the first ex- this time biologists have
ample of observed out-of- isolated the female and
lab breeding of the spe- her eggs in a dark spot,
cies. added extra oxygen and
The eyeless pink animal, removed any outside influ-
known as the “baby drag- ences. A record number
on” and “human fish” for of visitors in February have
its skin-like color, can live been allowed nowhere
a century and breeds only near the mother and her
once a decade — usually eggs — tourists could only
in laboratories throughout view a live video screening
Europe or deep in caves via special infrared camer-
away from people. as that were installed near
Slovenian scientists have the aquarium.
been ecstatic about the Slovenians, some of whom
prospects of having baby are contemplating declar-
olms born in Postojna Cave. ing the olm the next “Slo-
The eggs are expected to venian of the Year,” have
hatch in about 100 days, or been keeping their fingers
sometime in June. crossed.
