Popular tourist destination in Indonesia closed for one year
According to reports, the popular Komodo island is likely to close for one year, according to the Indonesian local press.
The island is a popular tourist destination because it’s home of the world’s largest lizard.
Komodo is one of the 17,508 islands that comprise the Republic of Indonesia. The island is particularly notable as the habit of the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on earth, which is named after the island. Komodo Island is part of the Lesser Sunda chain of islands and forms part of the Komodo National Park.
The popular island is going to close for tourist for one year according to the reports.
Tempo reports the closure comes in response to the March bust of an alleged smuggling ring in which 41 Komodo lizards were taken from the island and sold abroad for 500 million rupiahs each (about $35,000).
The government now plans to close the island and work on a conservation program in order to increase the population of Komodo Dragons. It’s estimated that there are currently around 6,000 of these lizards in the wild, 1800 of which are located in Komodo island.
The protected animals famed for their venomous bites and massive size, can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh as much as 70 kilos.
Only Komodo Island will close the rest of the national park will remain open to tourism.
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