On Flores, the species is protected in Wae Wuul, Wolo Tadho, Riung and Tujuh Belas Pulau protected areas; however, outside these boundaries their populations are threatened by habitat loss due to expansion of agriculture and human settlements as well as the hunting of prey animals.
The Komodo Survival Program (KSP) was established as an Indonesia-based NGO in 2007. In 2014, a three year distribution survey started as a collaborative programme between the Indonesian Eastern Lesser Sunda Central Bureau for Conservation of Nature Resources, Komodo Survival Program and Chester Zoo.
The goal of KSP is to provide sound information on wildlife biology to help in devising management and conservation plans for the Komodo dragon and its natural habitat. Currently, KSP is researching and monitoring Komodo dragons’ populations by conducting distribution and abundance surveys on Flores and the neighboring small islands of Ontoloe and Longos. They are also assessing the abundance of prey species, investigating human – wildlife conflict and their impact on local people’s livelihoods, conducting awareness programmes, and building local capacity for monitoring, management and conservation of Komodo dragons.
OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS WORK IN SIX REGIONS AROUND THE GLOBE – REPRESENTING SOME OF THE PLANET’S MOST BIODIVERSE HABITATS. Discover more about our SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION work.