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Dragon doubts: Local angst over Komodo revamp plan

Provincial govt sees advantages in keeping tourist numbers low, 'membership' fee high

Visitors are advised not to venture away from the marked trail as the dragons are aggressive, their saliva is venomous and they have fatally attacked humans at the park. Above: Sunrise over Komodo Island as tourists on a tender boat are ferried from
Many tourists visit Komodo National Park in Indonesia because of the Komodo dragons. Like other tourist destinations around the world, the park faces the risk of having to pay a heavy price for its own popularity. PHOTO: NYTIMES
Visitors are advised not to venture away from the marked trail as the dragons are aggressive, their saliva is venomous and they have fatally attacked humans at the park. Above: Sunrise over Komodo Island as tourists on a tender boat are ferried from
The reptiles can grow to 3m in length and weigh more than 100kg. They prey on deer, buffalo and wild boar. ST PHOTO: PAUL CHEONG
Visitors are advised not to venture away from the marked trail as the dragons are aggressive, their saliva is venomous and they have fatally attacked humans at the park. Above: Sunrise over Komodo Island as tourists on a tender boat are ferried from
Visitors are advised not to venture away from the marked trail as the dragons are aggressive, their saliva is venomous and they have fatally attacked humans at the park. ST PHOTO: PAUL CHEONG
Sunrise over Komodo Island as tourists on a tender boat are ferried from a cruise ship to catch a personal glimpse of the world’s largest lizards. ST PHOTO: PAUL CHEONG
Activities at the national park include trekking to the summit of Padar Island, famous for its lookout point overlooking its three iconic bays. PHOTO: NYTIMES
A vendor at the market selling souvenirs of the island to tourists, including carved wooden Komodo dragons. ST PHOTO: PAUL CHEONG
Visitors are advised not to venture away from the marked trail as the dragons are aggressive, their saliva is venomous and they have fatally attacked humans at the park. Above: Sunrise over Komodo Island as tourists on a tender boat are ferried from
Boats near the jetty on Komodo island. Each foreign tourist now pays $24.20 to land at the park, with some visitors coming via a one-hour speedboat ride from Labuan Bajo port on Flores island. ST PHOTO: PAUL CHEONG
Linda Yulisman Indonesia Correspondent In Jakarta
Updated
Aug 06, 2021, 04:10 AM
Published
Nov 05, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Indonesia's Komodo dragons are a victim of their own fearsome reputation.

The world's largest lizards are aggressive, their saliva is venomous and they have fatally attacked humans.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 05, 2019, with the headline Dragon doubts: Local angst over Komodo revamp plan. Subscribe

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MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

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