Komodo Dragons may seem like large, lethargic creatures, but they are not. The world’s largest lizard is a fast and aggressive animal. They have attacked humans on 15 separate occasions at the Komodo National Park. Five of these attacks have been fatal.
The most recent attack came Tuesday when a tour guide, heading for the rest room, was attacked by a lizard who charged out from behind a guard post. The tour guide was taken to the hospital to be treated for serious wounds to his leg.
Park officials have stated that Komodo Dragons are very powerful and, while attacks are considerably rare, visitors should always be on guard. Komodo Dragons are hard wired animals that are always hungry. A visitor has suggested that the animal was just hungry when he attacked the tour guide.
Komodo National Park has been in the spotlight recently. There has been a strong campaign to have this park voted as one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature. Komodo Dragons can only be found in the wild in Indonesia, and only on the three islands of Rinca, Padar and Komodo. A highly endangered species, the lizards number at about 4000 in total number. Komodo Dragons can get up to 10 feet in length and weigh over 150 pounds when full grown.
Story sh0uld probably have mentioned that Komodo dragon bites are highly dangerous because their saliva can cause life threatening infections.
yeah theres so much bacteria in their saliva that it literally rots the flesh. Theres nothing about that in this article.
They didn’t mention the saliva because the guy wasn’t bitten. The victim was ran into.
You guys are too smart for you own kind.
Collin Jim, Must have been full speed when the guide was ran into. Treated for serious wounds to his leg. Rubbed him the wrong way?
This, where an 8 year old was mauled, mentions the saliva. Maybe they should start spiking their drinking water with Listerine for god sakes !!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jun/04/1
The serious infection risk is exacerbated by the fact that recently they discovered a toxin which is secreted into the saliva. It’s not just infection to worry about they’re actually venomous. But if he wasn’t bitten then no need to worry about that.