Saving The Kimodo Dragons!
I had no idea you could get up close and personal with Kimodo Dragons, but that incredible experience has led to their threatened demise!
Steps are now underway to protect a magnificent creature, who has been targeted by poachers!
As Newser reports:
“The Indonesian government says Komodo island, home to the Komodo dragon, will be off-limits to tourists starting in Jan. 2020, Tempo reports. The move, which is expected to last at least a year, will allow conservation authorities to plant more vegetation and increase the numbers of both the dragons and the deer that they prey on, reports the Guardian. Other parts of the Komodo national park will remain open, including another island with a population of Komodo dragons. The move follows the arrest of five people suspected of selling at least 41 Komodo dragons, which are believed to number fewer than 5,000 in the wild.”
It’s always so sad to read reports like this…
Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). Komodo Islands, Indonesia
So why are the Komodo Dragons now being targeted by Poachers? As Newser explains:
“The animal, which can grow to be up to 10 feet long, has a highly venomous bite, which may be part of the reason why poachers can sell them for around $35,000 each, experts say. They have evolved an extremely strong defense against infections, including those from the bites of other dragons. Some believe this could be used to help create antibiotics for humans, though Bryan Fry, an associate professor at University of Queensland’s school of biological sciences, tells the Washington Post that it would take many years of research to isolate the compounds involved, and they would still probably cause violent allergic reactions. “If this is in fact what is fueling the trade, it is in the same destructive fantasy land as the Asian appetite for rhino horns as aphrodisiacs,” he says.”
A terrific report that clearly lays out the issues facing these magnificent creatures, and I hope that the year-long ban will help turn the tide on this horrible trend…it reminds me of what happened on “Pig Beach”:
I posted a story about this beach in the Bahamas that is famous for its wild pigs, but there was a report that some were poisoned mysteriously..here is that story:
Here’s hoping that we can all “do the right thing” and allow all of these creatures to live in safety!
Categories: Books / Media, Exotic Travel, nature, Pop Culture, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
Cool story, John. $35k a piece is mighty tempting to a third world country. The buyers who hire are the guilty ones. What a magnificent creature. I’m glad there is a conservation plan set in place.
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Yes Cindy, a lot of money for desperate people….
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Awww, John, this is so sad. If it is in the same vein as rhino hunting, it is a truly terrible and pointless thing coming from total ignorance. It is really hard to overcome too.
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Thank you for the point, Robbie – so true and sad, and all we can do is to continue to try and keep awareness at levels that prompt action like this
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Once again you use a great picture to compel me to read more, even though I don’t see the beauty in this big guy, I do see how extraordinary he is and I’m glad steps are being made to protect him. Ugly is the new beautiful.
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That’s a great point! They are majestic is a bit of a slobbery way! Thanks for the comment!
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What beautiful animals! Wonderful pictures.
It is sad when any creature is on the endangered species list, particularly when it is due to humans! So Sad.
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It is sad, thanks for the comment!
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I’m shocked that anyone was brave enough to take on the dragons—but then, that goes to beetleypete’s point that desperate people will take whatever shady/dangerous job they’re offered to feed their family. Well done, Indonesia, putting the safety and future of these animals ahead of immediate tourist revenue!
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Yes, poachers don’t care about our environment, and poor, desperate people will put their own lives before anything else
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Reblogged this on Retired? No one told me! and commented:
Another species under threat because of man’s greed …When will governments completely crack down on these practises once and for all ?
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So sad that man’s inherent poverty coupled with man’s greed brings about the demise of so many wild animals…A good move by the Indonesian government…The Australia government already restrict visitors to islands where wild life sanctuaries are and allow visitors out of breeding season and also allows no food outlets on those places which I think is a great idea…The animals breed in peace …Thank you for sharing this John 🙂 Shared 🙂
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Thank you for your comments and passion for saving our planet as well!
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My pleasure, John 🙂 x
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Wherever the chance of potential wealth exists in poor third world countries, animals are always in danger. Such things need to be stopped at the source, as in the dealers paying the people who kill the poor animals, and those who transport the carcasses..
Best wishes, Pete.
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GREAT point, Pete….take the “buyer” out of the equation…it’s so sad that some cultures see exotic animals as spiritual, and they are killed to provide some sort of medicinal value…
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