Komodo Dragons, Ancient Creatures of Modern Times

Komodo Dragon or Varanus komodoensis is one of the ancient animals the still alive today in Indonesia precisely in Komodo Island Nusa Tenggara. Surrounding the “Komodo Island”, Komodo dragons can also be found in Rinca, Flores, Gili Montang and Padar. The Komodo dragon is a large species of lizard growing to a maximum of length 3 metres (9.8 ft) in rare cases and weighing up to around 70 kilograms (150 lb). Normally, they live in grasslands which are large in area and are open. Komodo dragon also lives in places which has low elevations for example tropical forests. According to the last record, Komodo dragons the still alive in there about 4000 to 5000. They are protected under Indonesian law, and a national park, Komodo National Park, was founded to aid protection efforts.

In the wild, an adult Komodo dragon usually weighs around 70 kilograms (150 lb), although captive specimens often weigh more. The largest verified wild specimen was 3.13 metres (10 ft 3 in) long and weighed 166 kilograms (370 lb), including undigested food. The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body, as well as about 60 frequently replaced serrated teeth that can measure up to 2.5 centimetres (1 in) in length. Its saliva is frequently blood-tinged, because its teeth are almost completely covered by gingival tissue that is naturally lacerated during feeding. This creates an ideal culture for the bacteria that live in its mouth. It also has a long, yellow, deeply forked tongue.

Komodo dragons were first documented by Europeans in 1910, when rumors of a "land crocodile" reached Lieutenant van Steyn van Hensbroek of the Dutch colonial administration. Widespread notoriety came after 1912, when Peter Ouwens, the director of the Zoological Museum at Bogor, Java, published a paper on the topic after receiving a photo and a skin from the lieutenant, as well as two other specimens from a collector. Later, the Komodo dragon was the driving factor for an expedition to Komodo Island by W. Douglas Burden in 1926. After returning with 12 preserved specimens and 2 live ones, this expedition provided the inspiration for the 1933 movie King Kong. It was also Burden who coined the common name "Komodo dragon." Three of his specimens were stuffed and are still on display in the American Museum of Natural History.

Komodo National Park
 

Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands creating a total surface area (marine and land) of 1817km (proposed extensions would bring the total surface area up to 2,321km2). As well as being home to the Komodo dragon, the Park provides refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the Timor deer. Moreover, the Park includes one of the richest marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. These habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of fish, some 260 species of reef-building coral, and 70 species of sponges. Dugong, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles also make Komodo National Park their home.

The present situation in the Park is characterized by reduced but continuing destructive fishing practices primarily by immigrant fishers, and high pressure on demersal stocks like lobsters, shellfish, groupers and napoleon wrasse. Pollution inputs, ranging from raw sewage to chemicals, are increasing and may pose a major threat in the future.

Today, the PKA Balai Taman Nasional Komodo and PT. Putri Naga Komodo are working together to protect the Park's vast resources. Our goals are to protect the Park's biodiversity (both marine and terrestrial) and the breeding stocks of commercial fishes for replenishment of surrounding fishing grounds. The main challenge is to reduce both threats to the resources and conflicts between incompatible activities. Both parties have a long term commitment to protecting the marine biodiversity of Komodo National Park.

How To Get To The Komodo Island

If you wish to visit the of Komodo island and Rinca Island which is a residential of Komodo Dragon, there are several routes you can take.

1. Through Labuan Bajo by Using Aircraft.
If you use an airplane, you can fly from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo directly or through Ende. Currently, there are at least three airlines serving the route Denpasar - Labuan Jabo is Trans Nusa, Merpati and Lion Air. Merpati Nusantara and Trans Nusa fly routes Denpasar - Labuan Bajo - Denpasar every day. While serving routes Lion Air is only on Tuesday and Saturday only. Another path is the path you can go through Denpasar - Labuan Jabo via Ende. The problem is the schedule of flights from Denpasar - Ende available every day (Trans Nusa), while the flight Ende - Labuan Jabo - Ende is only available three times a week ie Monday, Wednesday, Saturday by Nusa Trans.
2. Trip overland
Overland travel is also a good option to get to the island of Komodo, especially because the costs are cheaper. Routes to be taken is Mataram - Bima - Sape. From Sape you will travel through the ocean using the ferry to Labuan Bajo. Trip begins with a large bus from Mataram to Bima. It took approximately 12 hours to get to Bima. From Bima trip continued with a smaller fleet of buses to Sape with a travel time of approximately 2 hours. Then from Sape you have to ride the ferry to Labuan Jabo. Travel time between the Sape - Labuan Jabo is 6 to 7 hours (depending on weather). So that your trip is not blocked, you must arrive at the port of Sape before 9 am local time, because the ferry departs at 9 am. If you are late it means you have to wait until tomorrow morning. Because the departure of the ferry schedule Sape - Labuan Jabo only once a day.