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JAKARTA: The Indonesian Ministry of the Environment on Tuesday sought to quell outrage over the construction of a tourism project on an island dubbed “Jurassic Park” after an image of a dragon on social media went viral. Komodo facing off with a large truck.
The image of the dragon, one of the world’s largest lizards, blocking the path of a large vehicle on Indonesia’s Rinca Island sparked a wave of anger at perceived threats to the natural habitat of vulnerable species.
Reuters was unable to verify the authenticity of the image.
Wiratno, a senior official with the Environment Ministry, said the rangers would ensure the safety of the dragons roaming near the construction, which will include an elevated platform, a dam and an information center, to be completed in June.
“They will do intensive checks to see if Komodo dragons are under buildings, building remains and under trucks carrying material,” he said in a statement.
The current population of Komodo in Indonesia is about 3,000, according to government data.
Komodo dragons reach up to 3 m in length, have curved and serrated teeth, a yellow forked tongue, strong limbs, and a long tail.
They can kill prey as large as a water buffalo with a single poisonous bite.
The project, which involves the country’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing, seeks to serve visitors to the Komodo National Park, where the Komodos can be seen in the wild.
Social media users have compared the project to one on a dinosaur island featured in the “Jurassic Park” movies.
The Public Works Ministry in a statement on Monday also assured the Komodos’ safety.
But environmentalists said construction must stop.
“Komodo must be the top priority. They need to be protected in a designated area, ”said Umbu Wulang Tanaamahu Paranggi, director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) in East Nusa Tenggara.
“What is happening now is the destruction of the dragons’ living spaces.”
