Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara is home to the world’s largest surviving prehistoric reptile, Varanus komodoensis. Unfortunately, this Indonesian endemic species has been listed as endangered by the IUCN since 2021 and is included in Appendix I of CITES, which covers protected animals facing extinction. With an estimated global population of only around 3,300 individuals, the Komodo dragon requires serious attention, not only from researchers and the government, but also from communities and the younger generation, who will inherit the responsibility of protecting this species.
Aji Winarso, a veterinarian and doctoral student at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKH UGM), who is currently researching this animal, explained that Komodo dragons face multiple threats.
In addition to human activities, these threats include habitat destruction, fragmentation, inbreeding, food competition with humans, climate change, illegal trade, and the spread of zoonotic diseases.
“Proper conservation should minimize contact between wildlife and humans. Why are they called wild animals? Because they should remain in the wild,” he said on Friday, Sep. 19, 2025.
Similar concerns were expressed by Raden Wisnu Nurcahyo, a professor of parasitology and wildlife observer at FKH UGM, who has studied parasitic diseases in Komodo dragons.
According to him, parasites, worms, and even human-borne infections can impact the population.
“Publications on rare wildlife are highly sought after in international journals, but in Indonesia, such research still receives little attention, largely due to limited funding,” said Professor Nurcahyo.
Furthermore, Professor Nurcahyo highlighted the concept of “one health, one welfare” as the key principle in preserving the Komodo dragon.
Strengthening the health of humans, animals, and the environment should be seen as an inseparable unity.
However, the overexploitation of nature for tourism, plastic waste, and potential disease transmission from humans to animals can disrupt the balance of ecosystems.
If the environment is polluted, the Komodo dragon’s prey, such as deer and buffalo, may also be threatened, ultimately disturbing the reptile’s survival chain.
“If humans are to stay healthy, Komodo dragons must also be healthy, and so must their environment,” emphasized Professor Nurcahyo.
Veterinarian Aji Winarso also pointed out that conservation cannot be separated from local communities.
He referred to ethno-conservation practices on Komodo Island, where locals regard the Komodo dragon as a “cousin” of humans, leading them to protect the animal despite its often preying on livestock.
Ethno-conservation can serve as a guiding principle to prevent extractive behaviors that exploit nature solely for economic gain.
“In addition, education and empowerment are vital strategies to align conservation with human well-being,” he explained.
Nevertheless, the greatest challenge lies in raising awareness among the younger generation.
Professor Nurcahyo reminded that Komodo dragons are a unique symbol of Indonesian pride, alongside tigers, elephants, orangutans, and other endemic species.
If their population continues to decline, Komodo dragons may end up like dinosaurs, relegated to the pages of history books and forgotten.
Therefore, research, policymaking, and stronger campaigns are urgently needed to spotlight the Komodo dragon’s existence as an Indonesian endemic species, beyond the economic benefits it may bring.
“Komodo dragon conservation is not merely about saving a rare species, but also about safeguarding ecosystem balance, human health, and national identity. In the hands of today’s and future generations lies the fate of Indonesia’s prehistoric ‘dragon’,” he concluded.
Author: Ika Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Illustration: Freepik