Komodo Island and its Dragons

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Weighing in at 150kgs, four metres in length, covered from head to tail in rough armoured hide and with the reputation of cunning, speed, strength, a predatorial nature and poor hygiene, the Komodo dragon is the closest you can get to seeing a real live dinosaur = Making Komodo Island and Komodo National Park Jurassic Park.

Established in 1980 to protect these distinctive animals and the other fauna and flora that make up their environment the park includes three islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar and is near the Indonesian island of Sumbawa. As well as the dragons you can expect to see Timor Deer, mangroves, bays of sea grass and coral reefs. Dugongs, sharks, turtles, dolphins and manta rays live within the park's waters.

The terrain is as prehistoric as the creatures who patrol it, mostly dry and rocky but moist green glens nestle deep between the volcanic peaks.

When it was established in 1980 the park included several inhabited areas which are still inhabited today, but the dragons still outnumber humans eight to one. Visitors to the island can stay on land or moor offshore and go diving or snorkelling or just explore the dragon’s dry rocky home, but take care, these guys are mean.

Komodo National Park Website

4 / 5 Review by editor World Reviewer Staff

‘Excerpt from 'Sailing in Search of Dragons'’

By David Hochman First published October 3, 1999 We were snorkeling off the side of an old-fashioned ... Read more »

Review by press.

‘Excerpt from 'Here be Dragons'’

By Matt Warren for The Independent First published October 30, 2004 There is a dragon in ... Read more »

Review by press.

‘Komodo National Park’

These volcanic islands are inhabited by a population of around 5,700 giant lizards, whose appearance and aggressive behaviour have led to them being ... Read more »

4 / 5 Review by editor World Reviewer Staff

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