Monitoring the lizards<\/p>\n
Komodo lizards may well have been the source for the myth of
\nChinese dragons. Ancient seafarers heard stories of these weird
\nmonsters even if seldom encountered.<\/p>\n
The first description was published following a 1910 Dutch
\nexpedition to the area which shot and skinned two beasts.<\/p>\n
Komodo dragons (known locally as ora) are monitor lizards and
\nthe largest left on earth. This family has members weighing just
\n20 grams that you'd welcome in your garden, up to the Nusa
\nTenggara monsters. You'd never want to encounter these among the
\nflower pots; they can check in up to 150 kilograms.<\/p>\n
The carnivorous reptiles are sun worshipers; if they get too
\ncold the meat in their gut starts to rot and that could be fatal.
\nSo all that lounging has purpose. No wonder they can live for up
\nto 50 years.<\/p>\n
In the past rangers would shoot a goat and bait the big beasts
\nso tourists would get a guaranteed sighting. This policy has now
\nbeen dropped because lazy lizards were becoming dependent on
\nhumans for their food.<\/p>\n
Dragon-spotters now have to peer in the branches or creep
\nclose to their burrows. The stench of rotting flesh is usually a
\ngood guide to a dragon's lair and a splendid reason to carry a
\ntelephoto lens.<\/p>\n
A nimble ranger with a stout stick to deter any grumpy old man
\ndragon is essential. It also helps if you can sprint faster than
\n10 km an hour.<\/p>\n
On Komodo island reptile-viewing has become so organized that
\nsome Westerners prefer the more natural situation on Rinca.<\/p>\n
There are a few dragons left on the west coast of Flores.
\nAeons ago, when the sea was much lower and they could swim short
\ndistances between islands the dragons had a much larger range;
\nthey may even have lived in Australia.<\/p>\n
There are probably about 2,000 animals left in the wild.
\nNumbers seem to be decreasing. Apart from pressures on their
\nenvironment the creatures suffer an acute gender imbalance. For
\nevery female there are three males which must create a lot of
\ndomestic dragon dramas.<\/p>\n
The females lay one clutch of about 18 eggs every year, then
\nhang around for a while waiting for the hatchings nine months
\nlater. After that the little ones are on their own in the big
\ncruel world.<\/p>\n
Slow or trusting dragonettes are unlikely to be snapped by
\ntourists. They'll be snapped up by dad, uncle, elder brother,
\nferal dogs or wild boars and never get a chance to feature in
\nanyone's photo album.<\/p>\n
In the cauldron of Komodo, animal kin ties count for nought
\nand conservation is a luxury for the well-fed. The national park
\nmay be an international treasure but these hazard isles are no
\nplace for the sluggish creature or squeamish human.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, go soon: This place is special.<\/p>\n
-- Duncan Graham<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/monitoring-the-lizards-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }