This beautiful island is being shut down due to people stealing dragons

Apr 3 2019, 3:38 am

First Justin Bieber’s fans ruin this beautiful canyon in Iceland for tourists, and now smugglers are depriving us of dragons? What is this world coming to?

… Let’s back up for a minute because if you haven’t been to Komodo National Park, you are seriously missing out and we need to talk.

Only an hour-long flight away from the tourist hotspot of Bali lies the island of Flores, which is your gateway to one of the most majestic paradises in the world, being Komodo National Park.

This UNESCO-listed park offers ruggedly exotic islands dotted with pristine beaches, including the Insta-famous Pink Beach. There is world-renowned diving and snorkelling with manta rays, incredible coral, and fish galore. You can go hiking, overnight sailing, or chasing waterfalls. Expect friendly locals, off-the-beaten-path vibes, and some of the most amazing sunsets you’ll ever see.

off the beaten path

View from Ciao Hostel at dawn, Labuan Bajo. (Kellie Paxian / Daily Hive)

The draws to this natural paradise are undeniable, but perhaps what the area is most known for is being the only place in the world where you can see real life dragons in the wild.

Komodo dragons, of course.

The world’s largest lizards, Komodo dragons are found on Komodo Island and Rinca Island in Komodo National Park, and you don’t want to mess with these guys.

They may seem lazy and sleepy, if their venom gets in your system, it will be fatal if not treated.

They can also eat a deer whole in one go. We repeat, you don’t want to mess with these guys.

But don’t worry, the local guide will protect you with his trusty wooden stick. And if that fails, the nearest hospital will provide you with the antidote.

komodo dragon

Komodo Dragon in Indonesia. (Kellie Paxian / Daily Hive)

However, if witnessing a dragon duel is on your list, you may have to wait until 2021.

The East Nusa Tenggara provincial administration has announced that Komodo Island will be closed to tourists temporarily in January 2020.

Why would the government crush all of our dragon dreams, you may be asking?

“The closure is in response to the alleged smuggling case of 41 komodo dragons sold abroad with the price of Rp500 million each,” shares a local newspaper. “The smuggling case of the endangered, protected animals was exposed by East Java Police.”

The closure aims to increase the population and preserve the environment for the lizards, allowing time for conservation efforts to aid their food supply and the surrounding nature.

Komodo Island. (Shutterstock)

However, reports are only indicating that Komodo Island is closed down and the rest of the park will remain open, meaning Rinca Island is still accessible to tourists, so grab that safety stick and get out there.

And also, steer clear of any dragons on the black market!

komodo dragon

Komodo dragon on Rinca Island. (Kellie Paxian / Daily Hive)

Kellie PaxianKellie Paxian

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