Komodo dragons reclassified as 'endangered' by IUCN
Source: IUCN Red List
The Komodo dragon, endemic to Indonesia has been reclassified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (“IUCN”) Red List as ‘endangered’. According to the IUCN’s news statement, the change in global temperature affecting sea levels ‘are expected to reduce the Komodo dragon’s suitable habitat by at least 30% in the next 45 years’.
Environmental changes can be detrimental to the survival of Komodo dragons as the species live in a limited belt of land between the coast and steep hills. Although a majority of Komodo dragons reside in the Komodo National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site), part of the population resides in the neighbouring island of Flores. The subpopulation in Flores ‘are threatened by significant habitat loss due to ongoing human activities’ and is likely to be increasingly affected, as Flores suffers an ongoing rate of 1% forest loss per annum. The IUCN also lists tourism, hunting, and invasive and other diseases among the threats faced by the largest species of lizard.
The IUCN reported that while there are an estimated 1,383 mature Komodo dragons and 3,458 juveniles, the population suffers from extreme fluctuations. A statement from Dr. Andrew Terry, Conservation Director at the Zoological Society of London, reflects that nature must be a central concern in future policy-making, particularly at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in November.
Courtesy of Audrey O’Young
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