Conservationists Hatch World's Largest Chameleon At Chester Zoo In UK Zoo First

A UK zoo has successfully bred the world’s largest chameleon. Reptile experts at Chester Zoo believe it to be the first time ever that the rare Parson’s chameleon has hatched in a UK zoo. So far 10 chameleons have emerged from their eggs, with another 17 still in incubation. Parson’s chameleons currently hold the record for the longest incubation period of any reptile with the process of the eggs being laid and then hatching taking up to around two years. The first of the rare hatchlings arrived measuring just 2cm long and weighing just 1.5 grams following a 569 day incubation period.They will grow to be around 70cm and 800 grams. Conservationists at the zoo have described the breeding success as a “momentous and exciting event” and say that the skills and techniques developed to achieve the breakthrough could potentially help save other species from extinction. Jay Redbond, Team Manager of reptiles at the zoo, said: “To be the first UK zoo to successfully hatch a clutch of Parson’s chameleons is a momentous event for the team here – but most importantly it’s a major breakthrough for the species.” The Parson’s chameleon population has declined by more than 20% in the last two decades as a result of widespread habitat loss on the island of Madagascar. Its forest home has now become so fragmented that experts believe the reptiles are unlikely to survive without drastic intervention.