Baby Komodo Dragon that entered resident's house in East Manggarai has been captured

Kupang (ANTARA) - Officers from the East Nusa Tenggara Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) have captured a baby Komodo dragon that entered a resident’s house in Londang Hamlet, Nanga Mbaur Village, Sambi Rampas District, East Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

The Head of BBKSDA East Nusa Tenggara, Adhi Nurul Hadi, stated that officers immediately secured the baby Komodo dragon after receiving a report from residents on Friday (22/5). “A rapid response to community reports is crucial in managing wildlife conflicts, particularly involving protected species,” he said in Kupang on Saturday.

BBKSDA East Nusa Tenggara deployed the Wildlife Handling Unit to capture and examine the condition of the Komodo dragon that entered the home in Londang Hamlet. Identification results showed the Komodo dragon had a body length of 57.2 centimetres and weighed 0.16 kilograms. He added that examinations indicated the hatchling had recently emerged from its egg.

After being measured, having blood samples taken, examined, and recorded, the baby Komodo dragon was fitted with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag and released into its natural habitat in Watu Pajung, Nanga Mbaur Village, Sambi Rampas District. “The Komodo dragon was placed atop a tree to increase its chances of survival from predator threats and to support the adaptation process in its natural habitat,” said Adhi.

He expressed appreciation to the residents for promptly reporting the presence of the protected species to the officers. “Such swift action greatly assists handling efforts to ensure safety for both residents and the wildlife,” he said. BBKSDA East Nusa Tenggara reminded residents that it is prohibited to capture, injure, keep, or trade protected wildlife.