Komodos flee from habitat due to Indonesia road project

(THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Dozens of Komodo dragons that inhabit the Pota area in Sambi Rampas district, East Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, have reportedly fled from their habitat due to a road building project that is using explosive devices.

A Komodo caretaker, Arsyad, said the Komodos usually live around Tompong Beach, but as of approximately three weeks ago, the Komodos have apparently relocated. "There are eight giant Komodos and tens of smaller Komodos that often loiter around the beach. I usually check on them and feed them three times a week," he said.

He added that he had searched the Pota area, but he could not locate them."I suspect the Komodos fled to another area, since they no longer feel comfortable in their habitat due to the explosions that have occurred as a result of the the road building project," Mr Arsyad said.

Deputy Regent Andreas Agas said he had yet to receive any reports about the Komodo dragons. "As far as I know, the Komodos are still in their habitat," he said on Tuesday.