Autoshoty

[Snakes Incorporated]

Komodo dragon kills boy, 8, in Indonesia

First recorded deadly attack on human by giant lizards in 33 years

JAKARTA, Indonesia - A Komodo dragon attacked and killed an 8-year-old boy in eastern Indonesia, the first recorded deadly attack on a human by one of the giant lizards in 33 years, a national park spokesman said Monday.
The boy was mauled when he went to go to the bathroom behind a bush Saturday on Komodo island, Heru Rudiharto said.
“The Komodo bit him on his waist and tossed him viciously from side to side,” Rudiharto said.
A fishermen, who just happened to be the boy’s uncle, threw rocks at the lizard until it let the boy go and fled,” he said. “The boy died from massive bleeding half an hour later.”
Komodos, the world’s largest lizards, are only found in the wild in a small archipelago in eastern Indonesia. Fewer than 4,000 survive.
Rudiharto said the lizards had been living side-by-side with the 1,200 people on Komodo with no fatal incident for 33 years.
“Perhaps the lizards’ natural prey has decreased because we are entering the dry season and there has been too much deer hunting,” he said.
Komodos can grow to a length of 10 feet and weigh up to 365 pounds.
Thousands of tourists visit Komodo each year to see the lizards in their natural habitat. They are normally shown around the arid and rocky island by guides who carry large, forked sticks to ward of the lizards.

[Simon]

I didn't know Komodo National Park had native people living there...

Find out something new everyday!

[Snakes Incorporated]

Yeah and they are feeding the wildlife.

[Simon]

Mwhahahahaha! ... [evil laugh]!

Truth be told though, there has to be more deaths that this with people living in the park.  There was that story not so long ago about the German tourist who went off by himself and nevr seen again.  Just found his glasses on the beach... i don't think that was over 33 years ago.

I think that because this was taken off the island to a med-centre this got noted, I bet a lot more happens to the locals than is what is publicised.

[Snakes Incorporated]

Yip also read and heard stories. One of a tourist went amiss never to be seen again but camera found.

Broe, there are some suburbs out this way that people’s bodies are chopped up and sold as muttie. (Traditional witch doctor medicine)

The tourist belongings are never seen again especialy the camera. I prefer the wild, as some of these animals are a hell of a lot smarter than their city counterparts.