Pilkington Activ™ guards the Dragon's Lair at London Zoo

Originating from Indonesia, the Komodo dragon is the world’s largest living lizard and is renowned as a powerful predator. These carnivorous lizards grow up to ten feet long and can eat up to 80 per cent of their body weight in a single sitting. Whilst the reptile can live for up to 20 years, it has become an endangered species, with only around 5000 left in the wild as a result of agriculture encroachment. As part of the Zoological Society of London’s commitment to the conservation of the species, the organisation decided to build a special breeding enclosure for reptiles.

Pilkington Activ™ self-cleaning glass was felt to be the ideal material for the lining of the enclosure as it works with the weather to keep itself clean from organic dirt, such as tree resin and bird droppings. The special coating on the glass causes rain to flow down the 20m sweep of glass in an even ‘sheet’, washing away any dirt particles and without forming any droplet marks, thereby offering the public a clear, undisturbed view of the Komodo dragon.