KOMODO ISLAND HISTORY

The name Komodo Island does not imply that the island is komodo dragon-like island, but in the island live many reptiles called komodo dragons. Komodo Island is situated in the ranks of Flores island in eastern Indonesia. According to the story, Komodo island history begins with a story about a giant dragon. Many sailors are told that the dragon is more like a frightening monster. Large tail can knock down a buffalo with a single flick. His jaw large and strong, being able to swallow a pig in one fell swoop, and always spitting fire from his mouth. The story was widely circulated and attracted lots of attention, but at that time no one dared to approach the island because of the circulating stories.

The sailors of the Dutch Colonial military gave a report that the creature is likely to be measuring up to seven meters in length, with a giant body and mouth are always spitting fire. Lieutenant Steyn van Hensbroek, an official of the Dutch Colonial Administration in Flores heard these reports and stories that surround the island of Komodo. He then planned a trip to Komodo Island. After arming himself and took a team of trained soldiers, he landed on the island. After several days on the island, Hensbroek managed to kill the strange species.

He took him to his headquarters and measurements were taken. That catch length is approximately 2.1 meters. The shape is very similar to lizards. Animals were then documented by Peter A Ouwens, director of the Zoological Museum and Botanical Gardens. This is the first documentation of the Komodo dragon.

Ouwens then  interested in finding these strange animals. He then recruited a cunning hunter to capture specimens for him. The hunters managed to kill two komodo dragons measuring 3.1 meters and 3.35 meters, plus the capture of two pups, each measuring below one meter in length.

Based on the catch of the hunters, Ouwens do some research and concluded that the Komodo dragon is not a flamethrower, but a type of lizard. Research results were then published in a newspaper in 1912. In the news, Ouwens advised the name of the giant lizard Varanus komodoensis or nicknamed Komodo Dragon. Realizing the significance of the endangered species, the Dutch Colonial government issued a regulation on the protection of Komodo and Komodo Island in 1915.