Visiting Komodo National Park, The Komodo Island, Indonesia

Komodo Island is located in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago, Indonesia. Komodo is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Finalist that has announced by New Open Word Foundation.  The Komodo dragon is a large species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo island , Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. Komodo Dragon is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2 to 3 metres (6.6 to 9.8 ft) and weighing around 70 kilograms.

Komodo Dragon, Komodo Island Indonesia

In the wild their range has contracted due to human activities and Komodo Dragon are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Komodo Dragon are protected under Indonesian law, and a national park, Komodo National Park, was founded to aid protection efforts.

The Komodo dragon is a vulnerable species and is found on the IUCN Red List. There are approximately living Komodo dragons in the wild. populations of Komodo Dragon are restricted to the islands of Gili Motang, Gili Dasami, Rinca, Komodo and Flores. the Komodo National Park was founded in 1980 to protect Komodo dragon populations on islands including Komodo, Rinca, and Padar. The others live with the people, because they believe the Komodo Dragon is their ancient.

Something that make this island is worth to become one of the new 7 wonders of nature, is because there are so many Komodo Dragons in there.

In Komodo, at least 1300 of Komodo Dragons was noted on August 2009, beside 1200 others that is spread in Rinca (island) and Padar (island).

Beside Komodo Dragon, you could enjoy the best dive site for eastern of Indonesia also in Komodo. Most of the dive masters over the world have unbelieveable dive trip during their visiting to this island.

Natural state of the dry and arid make a uniqueness. The existence of vast savannas, water resources are limited and temperatures hot enough, it turns out to be the habitat favored by a kind of ancient animals Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis).

Much of this national park is savanna with palm trees (Borassus flabellifer) the most dominant and distinctive. Some plants that exist in the Park, among others, rattan (Calamus sp.), Bamboo (Bambusa sp.), Acid (Tamarindus indica), bulging (Sterculia foetida), lote (Ziziphus jujuba), and mangrove (Rhizophora sp.)

In addition to the typical wildlife of Komodo, there are deer (Cervus timorensis floresiensis), wild boar (Sus scrofa), ajag (Cuon alpinus javanicus), wild horse (Equus qaballus), wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), 2 species of sea turtles, 10 species of dolphins , 6 species of whales and dugongs are often seen in marine waters of Komodo National Park.

The potential of marine life in this park, there were 259 types of coral and 1,000 species of fish such as barracuda, marlin, yellow tail, red snapper, baronang, and others.

Komodo Island, Indonesia

Komodo Island

Traditional War Dance in Flores

So, I think visiting Komodo National Park and enjoy the dive sites in this island, would be come one of the best trip you have ever had in your live.

Bernard Weber, the founder of New 7 Wonders, said, "If we want to save anything, we first need to truly appreciate it", so don't forget to vote the Komodo for the one of New 7 Wonders of Nature in here http://www.new7wonders.com/.

Posted in: Nusa-Tenggara