Are There Any Real Dragons? Unveiling The Mysteries Of Mythical Creatures

Dragons have captured human imagination for centuries, and their existence in mythologies dates back to ancient times. One of the earliest depictions of dragons portrays them as massive serpentine beings, often found in the mythologies of the ancient Near East. Notably, in Mesopotamian art and literature, dragon-like creatures were described in texts like the Epic of Creation, known as the Enuma Elish, which dates back to the late 2nd millennium BC. This rich historical record provides us with a glimpse into the fascination with dragons that has persisted throughout human history. (Additional information: The Enuma Elish is a significant Babylonian creation myth that explains the origin of the world and the struggle between gods.)

Do dragons still exist in the world today? The population of adult dragons has dwindled to less than 1,400 individuals, and they are now found exclusively on a few Indonesian islands. In response to this alarming decline, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) made the significant decision on September 10, 2021, to reclassify these majestic creatures from the “Vulnerable” category to the even more critical “Endangered” status. This change reflects the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect the remaining dragon populations and ensure their survival.