2:58 PM | Posted in ,
Komodo National Park is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. Established in 1980, initially the main purpose of the Park was to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its habitat. However, over the years, the goals for the Park have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. In 1986, the Park was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, both indications of the Park's biological importance.





Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands creating a total surface area (marine and land) of 1817km (proposed extensions would bring the total surface area up to 2,321km2). As well as being home to the Komodo dragon, the Park provides refuge for many other  notable terrestrial species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the Timor deer. Moreover, the Park includes one of the richest marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. These habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of fish, some 260 species of reef-building coral, and 70 species of sponges. Dugong, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles also make Komodo National Park their home.
   

Threats to terrestrial biodiversity include the increasing pressure on forest cover and water resources as the local human population has increased 800% over the past 60 years. In addition, the Timor deer population, the preferred prey source for the endangered Komodo dragon, is still being poached. Destructive fishing practices such as dynamite-, cyanide, and compressor fishing severely threaten the Park's marine resources by destroying both the habitat (coral reefs) and the resource itself (fish and invertebrate stocks). The present situation in the Park is characterized by reduced but continuing destructive fishing practices primarily by immigrant fishers, and high pressure on demersal stocks like lobsters, shellfish, groupers and napoleon wrasse. Pollution inputs, ranging from raw sewage to chemicals, are increasing and may pose a major threat in the future.

Today, the PKA Balai Taman Nasional Komodo and PT. Putri Naga Komodo are working together to protect the Park's vast resources. Our goals are to protect the Park's biodiversity (both marine and terrestrial) and the breeding stocks of commercial fishes for replenishment of surrounding fishing grounds. The main challenge is to reduce both threats to the resources and conflicts between incompatible activities. Both parties have a long term commitment to protecting the marine biodiversity of Komodo National Park.

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is a large species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang.[3] A member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae), it 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 (150 lb). Their unusual size has been attributed to island gigantism, since there are no other carnivorous animals to fill the niche on the islands where they live.[4][5] However, recent research suggests that the large size of komodo dragons may be better understood as representative of a relic population of very large varanid lizards that once lived across Indonesia and Australia, most of which, along with other megafauna,[6] died out after contact with modern humans. Fossils very similar to V. komodoensis have been found in Australia dating to greater than 3.8 million years ago, and its body size remained stable on Flores, one of the handful of Indonesian islands where it is currently found, ever since Flores (along with neighboring islands) were isolated by rising sea levels approximately 900,000 years ago.[6] As a result of their size, these lizards dominate the ecosystems in which they live.[7] Although Komodo dragons eat mostly carrion, they will also hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals.

Mating begins between May and August, and the eggs are laid in September. About twenty eggs are deposited in abandoned megapode nests and incubated for seven to eight months, hatching in April, when insects are most plentiful. Young Komodo dragons are vulnerable and therefore dwell in trees, safe from predators and cannibalistic adults. They take around three to five years to mature, and may live as long as fifty years. They are among the rare vertebrates capable of parthenogenesis, in which females may lay viable eggs if males are absent, producing only male offspring.[8]

Komodo dragons were first recorded by Western scientists in 1910.[9] Their large size and fearsome reputation make them popular zoo exhibits. In the wild their range has contracted due to human activities and they are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. They are protected under Indonesian law, and a national park, Komodo National Park, was founded to aid protection efforts.

Related Articles



��

Comments

10 responses to "Komodo National Park"

  1. Badr On January 10, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    good. 1 like komodo. wah gak ngerti mbak bahasa Inggris. bisanya B.Arab. Link blog mbak sdh sy masukin di daftar blog dofollow. gantian ya....masukin blog saya jg.

     
  2. Нетішин On February 19, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Contact info:

    Komodo Office
    Gg. Mesjid, Kampung Cempa, Labuan Bajo
    Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara, Timur, Indonesia 86554
    Telephone: +62 (0) 385 41448
    Telephone: +62 (0) 385 41225

     
  3. where is indonesia On October 26, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Komodo island is the most amazing places in Indonesia.
    you should visit it when you are in Indonesia

     
  4. London budget hotel On December 9, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Komodo National Park is located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. It has a wide variety of animal species as well as natural beauty

     
  5. cross channel mojo On December 14, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    This national park is really gorgeous. They have plenty of wildlife.

     
  6. cheap hotels booking in Granada On January 7, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    Komodo national park attracts too many tourist every year and one can see many things here.This raptile does look pretty awkward and henious but they do have their work which matters very much.

     
  7. car hire On January 16, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    One can see many things in this park and we can see the Komodos in large number.Such parks do try their everything to preserve the biodiversity and to keep the animal safe which are about to extinct.

     
  8. adult acne On February 3, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    wow good information

     
  9. cancer blog On February 3, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    nice information

     
  10. tri cihui On June 27, 2012 at 4:10 PM

    komodo island memang salah satu keajaiban dunia kok meskipun dunia tdk mengakuinya tetapi kita org indonesia tetap hrus mengakui ini