A TOURIST IN Indonesia is said to have been severely injured after being bitten on the leg by a Komodo dragon yesterday morning.
The incident occurred in the Komodo National Park in West Manggari, East Nusa Tengarra, and has been described as the first incident of a person being bitten by one of the lizards for five years.
The Komodo dragon is native to a small group of Indonesian islands. They reach an unusually large size for lizards, up to a maximum of 10ft long in some cases and can weigh up to 70kg.
Sudioyono, the head of the park, told The Jakarta Post that the tourist, who was from Singapore, approached several Komodo dragons to take pictures despite warnings not to get too close.
He said: “He must have been too close. A Komodo doesn’t like to be disturbed when eating.
The incident took place away from the area set by us where tourists are allowed to observe komodos.
The 50-year-old victim was identified as Lon Lee Alle. The bite on his leg was described as severe.
Locals assisted in bringing Alle to a nearby medical centre, before he was transported to Siloam General Hospital with the aid of a military speed boat. He is currently receiving treatment.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say