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Jakarta Post

Man bitten by Komodo ‘in stable condition’

A Singaporean tourist who got bitten by a Komodo dragon in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday is in stable condition and unlikely to have his left leg amputated, according to Siloam Hospital

Markus Makur (The Jakarta Post)
Labuan Bajo
Fri, May 5, 2017 Published on May. 5, 2017 Published on 2017-05-05T01:05:08+07:00

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Singaporean tourist who got bitten by a Komodo dragon in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday is in stable condition and unlikely to have his left leg amputated, according to Siloam Hospital.

Lon Lie Alle, 50, is currently undergoing intensive treatment by a team of doctors. “As of today, he is in stable condition. He is conscious and able to communicate,” the hospital’s spokesman, Aris, told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

“The medical team will closely monitor his condition.”

A Komodo dragon’s bite is venomous, according to recent studies. The National Geographic reported in 2009 that “an animal that escapes a Komodo’s initial attack soon weakens and dies.”

Alle is the first man to get bitten by a Komodo dragon in the last five years. He was visiting the Komodo National Park when the incident happened.

According to the park’s chief, Sudiyono, Alle was initially watching several Komodos eating pigs and goats belonging to villagers. He approached the animals to take pictures, ignoring the warnings of residents telling him not to get too close.

“He must have been too close [to the animals]. A Komodo doesn’t like to be disturbed when eating,” Sudiyono said.

The Singaporean had reportedly been staying with residents for three days to save costs.

“The incident took place away from the area where tourists are allowed to observe Komodos,” Sudiyono said, urging tourists to take guides when wandering around to see Komodo dragons.

“Never risk your safety by staying with locals and watching Komodos without an official guide only for the sake of your budget.”

According to data from the national park, 30 people had been bitten by Komodo dragons in the area since 1974. They include locals, tourists, guides and workers. Alle was the second tourist to get bitten by the giant lizard.

Based on the Post’s record, the last Komodo attack occurred in 2012 when an elderly resident, Tima Binti Hamso of Rinca Island, suffered a bite while she was preparing fodder for her livestock, located around 50 meters from her house. She survived the incident.

Other victims, however, were less fortunate. In June 2007, a Komodo dragon mauled a 9-year-old local boy to death near a village in Komodo National Park in West Manggarai regency.

Police said the lizard appeared suddenly and attacked Mansur while he and two friends were in a wilderness area not far from the village on Komodo Island.

“The Komodo seized the 9-year-old in its jaws, tossed him around and released him only once other villagers started to throw stones,” said West Manggarai Police chief Butje Hello.

In March, 2009, two Komodo dragons killed a fruit-picker in the eastern province of East Nusa Tenggara. Police Sgt. Kosmas Jalang said 31-year-old Muhamad Anwar was attacked on Komodo Island minutes after falling out of a sugar-apple tree. He died at a clinic on the neighboring island of Flores soon after.

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