komodo survival indonesia

Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is a giant-endemic lizard to a few islands of Lesser Sunda region in Indonesia. Current distribution of this endangered and charismatic species is known only in few areas to the Western coastal of Flores and on four islands within Komodo National Park (KNP) boundary. This species has decreasing in range and abundance within last three decades due to increase of human activities and illegal hunting of deer.

In site conservation of this species is coordinated by the government of Indonesia, i.e. PHKA of Forestry Department, with KNP and KSDA NTT as technical implementers. KNP and KSDA NTT have responsibility to organize in site general conservation efforts, such as monitoring, protecting, community awareness, and implement any intervention if necessary. They are also responsible to maintain availability of nature resources for the extant population in the wild. However, their programs such mentioned, is limited by resources, i.e. availability of fund, expertise, and equipments.

Several zoos in Indonesia, such as Ragunan Zoo Jakarta, Surabaya Zoo, and Gembira Loka Yogyakarta, are also captive and bred Komodo dragon for ex site and educational purposes. However, successful in breeding of this species is not accompanied by the availability of sufficient resources for the Zoos i.e. as it happens with KNP and BKSDA NTT II.

Contribution of independent institution, such as NGO, universities, research institutions, etc., are necessary to support sustainability efforts of conservation programs of Komodo dragon, particularly in the wild. Since it is realized that there is a gap in providing reliable information regard many aspects of biology of Komodo dragon, it is important to provide supports for this area.

Hence, we initiate to establish an independent organization to support both Indonesian government, ex site conservation institutions, and research and education institutions in Indonesia to conserve the extant population of Komodo dragon. This organization is named as "KOMODO SURVIVAL PROGRAM ” Foundation (KSP, in brief).

Komodo Survival Program is now working on conservation and scientific efforts to protect, conserve, and manage the existence of the Komodo dragons and it's environment by developing capacity and promoting reliable knowlede