Indonesian Komodo dragon attack leaves two hospitalised
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Kupang - Two people are being treated at a Bali hospital after they were bitten by a Komodo dragon on Tuesday, at the Komodo National Park on Rinca Island, East Nusa Tenggara. Ahmad Main, a forest police officer, was alone in an office at the park when a lizard found its way inside and attacked him. The 50-year-old, who was once bitten by a crocodile in 2009, panicked and jumped on a chair to shout for help, but the lizard grabbed his leg.
Usman Li, an employee at the national park, heard Ahmad’s screams and managed to pull the two-meter long lizard off him. But as a result, the lizard attacked Usman, 35, biting his left leg.
“The man panicked when he saw the Komodo and tried to escape by jumping on a chair, but the Komodo quickly grabbed and bit one of his legs,” Komodo National Park official Heru Rudiharto told AFP.
Rudiharto said the ranger was the victim of a similar Komodo attack in 2009 and was still traumatised.
Ahmad received 41 stitches for wounds to his legs and Usman received 42 stitches.Both are in good condition after being given stitches at a health clinic, Rudiharto said, but they are being monitored in hospital to ensure an infection does not develop.
Sustyo Iryono, head of the national park, told Suara Pembaran that Komodo dragons were very sensitive to movement and sounds.
