Naturalist Guide Hospitalized After Being Attacked by Komodo Dragon in Indonesia’s National Park

LABUAN BAJO, KOMPAS.com – An naturalist guide of the Komodo National Park on Flores island in Indonesia was attacked by a komodo dragon recently.

The incident occurred in late September when the man known as Anton was on duty at the Loh Buaya tourist location on Rinca island, one of the three largest islands in the Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara province. Loh Buaya is also known as the main habitat of the Komodo dragon on Rinca island.

The Head of the Komodo National Park Lukita Awang confirmed that the incident happened on Tuesday, September 28 at about 4.50 pm local time. Anton was in charge of keeping the Komodo dragons away from a construction site where workers are building some tourism facilities and infrastructure development projects in the Loh Buaya Resort. But, when he was monitoring the Komodo dragons, he suddenly fell.

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“As he was falling, a Komodo dragon quickly attacked and bit him on the thigh,” said Awang in a press statement on Wednesday, October 6.

Anton suffered an injury as he was using his left hand to remove the jaws of the Komodo dragon. The national park service rangers and other naturalist guides came to rescue him. Then he was released by the Komodo dragon and was given first aid for his wounds.

“Our team continued to monitor his wounds while waiting to be picked up at the Loh Buaya Resort,” he said.

Anton was immediately brought to a hospital in Labuan Bajo for further treatment after a speedboat arrived in the Komodo National Park at about 5.30 local time.

He was immediately given intensive treatment once arriving at the hospital at 6.30 pm local time. “We continue to monitor Anton’s condition,” Awang said.

(Writer: Nansianus Taris | Editor: Dheri Agriesta)

Source: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/10/07/071413278/seorang-naturalist-guide-digigit-komodo-menderita-luka-di-paha?page=all#page2.