Japanese Woman Races Komodo Dragon with Raw Meat Bait

Ayako Imoto of Japan is a female daredevil who in the past has raced cheetahs, handled dangerous or venomous predators, and even wrestled alligators. For her latest stunt, she dawned a traditional Japanese kimono and fastened a chunk of raw meat to her waist via a six foot long rope. She used the meat as a bait for a Komodo dragon to follow her. The Komodo is the world’s largest lizard capable of reaching speeds up to 24 kph (~15 mph). The lizard will first inject venom into its prey and then literally cut it to pieces using a can opener type bite with its razor sharp teeth.

Ms. Imoto can be seen on film awaiting the approaching Komodo. The reptile’s keep sense of smell can detect prey kilometers away. As it approaches her, she takes to flight prompting it to pursue her. She was seen screaming as she reached her camera crew who used long sticks to ward off the Komodo from reaching her. She performed her stunt on an island of Eastern Indonesia. The Komodo dragon is known to exist on only five islands. They are capable of killing animals much larger than themselves such as water buffalo.

On the Web:
Kimono v komodo: Woman with a slab of meat tied to her has to outrun giant lizard in bizarre Japanese TV show
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2510012/Kimono-v-komodo-Woman-slab-meat-tied-to-outrun-giant-lizard-bizarre-Japanese-TV-show.html
TV host strings along komodo dragon with raw meat
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/whats-on/entertainment/9420541/TV-host-strings-along-komodo-dragon-with-raw-meat