NationStates Jolt Archive


Boy Killed In Komodo Dragon Attack

UN Protectorates
05-06-2007, 11:20
Boy killed by Komodo Dragon
An eight-year-old boy has been killed by a Komodo dragon in a national park in the east of Indonesia.

Heru Rudiharto of the Komodo National Park said the boy had been attacked after entering a bush for a toilet stop in a fishing village in the national park on Komodo, an island that lies 930 miles east of the capital Jakarta.

His uncle, who had been mending fishing nets nearby, tried to free him by throwing stones at the dragon.

Mr Rudiharto said: "The dragon bit the boy's waist, tossed him and dragged him. His right leg was badly scratched. The boy bled to death half an hour after the attack."

The official said it was rare for such attacks on humans, although in the dry season that started in April the dragon's normal prey became more scarce.

Mr Rudiharto said: "It is very common here to see dragons roaming in the residential area in the national park. But it is very rare that a Komodo dragon kills a human. Usually, people here only suffer minor injuries."

There are about 2,000 of the protected and endangered dragons living in the wild, mainly on Indonesia's Komodo and Rinca islands.

The dragons, which are agile and have a keen sense of smell, can grow to a length of more than 9 ft and weigh on average 200lbs.

The mouth of the dragon has virulent bacteria that means even if its prey survives an attack it will probably die of infection later.



Oh dear. Quite tragic don't you think?
Andaras Prime
05-06-2007, 11:32
Komodo Dragons are pretty big things, I wouldn't be surprised if the big ones grow wings and breath fire.
Vegan Nuts
05-06-2007, 11:38
Oh dear. Quite tragic don't you think?

good lord, only 2000 of them left in the world? that's crazy...I'm surprised, I think I've seen them in zoos but that seems unlikely if they're that rare. sucks for the kid. I hope they don't start killing the things over it.
Arinola
05-06-2007, 12:01
I didn't know they were so vicious. Well, they probably aren't, but I didn't know they were capable of an attack like that. 2000 left? That sucks, I didn't know they were endangered. :(

Hell, I don't know a lot about Komodo Dragons....
Myu in the Middle
05-06-2007, 12:12
I, for one, welcome our new draconic overlords.

Sorry, had to be said.
Khadgar
05-06-2007, 12:35
Gotta remember, in some places you're not top of the food chain. Sucks for the kid, but that's kind of what dragons do.
Vegan Nuts
05-06-2007, 12:39
Gotta remember, in some places you're not top of the food chain. Sucks for the kid, but that's kind of what dragons do.

particularly during droughts.
Lunatic Goofballs
05-06-2007, 12:40
Let this be a lesson to you: Never pee near a dragon. :)
Vegan Nuts
05-06-2007, 12:41
Let this be a lesson to you: Never pee near a dragon. :)

if I'm ever in Indonesia I'm just gonna hold it.
Kyronea
05-06-2007, 12:47
There are two tragedies here:

1. The boy is dead. Children dying is always tragic.

2. The komodo dragon, if not yet, will be dead soon, probably along with several more members of its species, mainly due to the general ignorance of most people when it comes to endangered animals.
Ciudatenia
05-06-2007, 12:49
There are things far more tragic in this world than a tourist killed by a wild animal.
Regressica
05-06-2007, 12:58
In Soviet Russia, Komodo Dragons get attacked by you!
Zarakon
05-06-2007, 13:52
Komodo Dragons are pretty big things, I wouldn't be surprised if the big ones grow wings and breath fire.

It would be interesting. Like Komodo Dragons are all like 30,000 years old, and then at 30,010 they pupate, and burst out as gigantic firebreathing flying dragons at 30,020.
Soleichunn
05-06-2007, 15:39
if I'm ever in Indonesia I'm just gonna hold it.

Wouldn't you just go to Java?
SaintB
05-06-2007, 16:07
Thats why you never leave small children unatended when near predatorious animals the size of small cars.