Population and Location:

The Komodo Dragon was just recently moved from Vulnerable status to Endangered because of rising sea levels and is an endemic species to the Indonesian Islands with a current population of <1,400 adult lizards. Conservationists believe that within the next century the Komodo Dragons will become extinct. (Natural History Museum- p.2)

Risk Factors:

Rising sea levels is one of the most common reasons for extinction of most animals today. The Komodo Dragon is affected by the rising sea levels because they inhabit the islands of Indonesia (and a few surrounding islands on unprotected land) with their homes being drowned by the water.

Climate change is the main cause, with our temperatures rising, the sea will continue to drown these islands leading the Komodo Dragon's into extinction. In the next 45 years, these animals will lose up to 71% of their land and reducing their population up to a third by 2050. (Natural History Museum-p.9)

Human interaction is another part of the decline of the Komodo Dragon population. Although there are many protected islands of the Komodo Dragon to live freely, unfortunately humans are still hunting, and/or containing these exotic animals and selling them as pets or to zoos. On these unprotected islands, the Komodo Dragon is also competing with humans for prey reducing the amount of food readily available to them.

Exotic species also play a small factor in the decreased population of the Komodo Dragons. When these reptiles hatch from their eggs they are hidden in nests underground by their mother but can be dug up by other species such as dogs. It's very unlikely for these reptiles to reach adulthood due to this, as well as adult Komodo Dragons feeding on their own offspring. (Natural History Museum-p.11)

Conservation Efforts:

There are many conservation efforts now set in place to help Komodo Dragons thrive. Biodiversity hotspot, human interaction, climate change, and exotic species have forced conservationists into taking matters into their own hands. In efforts to protect them, the Komodo National Park was the first step originating back to 1997.

"Komodo National Park (KNP) was established to protect the Komodo Dragon, its habitat and the surrounding ecosystems. It was designated an international Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and a World Heritage Site in 1991. The park covers 173,300 hectares, within which the Komodo Dragon population is estimated at less than 3,000 individuals." (Taronga.org-p1)

KNP has done a great job at bringing tourists to the Indonesian Islands to help educate the public on the importance the Komodo Dragons have on these islands, however due to large decrease in population, tours have been reduced (as of 2020) in conservation efforts to further protect these animals from poachers. (holidify-p.1)

In 2012 Taronga teamed up with KNP, they are currently working to help conserve the Komodo Dragons by protecting their food chain, tracking dragons and prey, creating awareness programs, and "establishing alternative livestock management practices to reduce conflict between people and Komodo Dragons." (Taronga.org-p.2)

Komodo Dragons Effects on their Ecosystem:

The Komodo Dragon plays a vital role in their ecosystem. As we now know, they sit at the top of the food chain enabling them to be the main source of population control of the other species in their environment. These dragons help maintain the balance and cleanliness by scavenging on carcasses reducing the amount of bacteria and disease spread throughout the community. (HelloFlores-p7)

Without the help of the Komodo Dragon humans may come into contact with a lot more bacteria as well as having an overpopulation issue of the animals that inhabit these islands.