Komodo Survival Programme

Background

The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard endemic to five islands in southeast Indonesia. The islands of Komodo, Rinca, Nusa Kode and Gili Motang are part of Komodo National Park. On Flores, the fifth and largest island, three nature reserves, Wae Wuul, Wolo Tado and Riung, harbour extant Komodo dragon populations on the west and north coast. There is a vital need for an island based conservation strategy for managing the Komodo dragon population in its current distribution areas; Flores and the adjacent islands within the boundary of Komodo National Park.

Training of staff in wildlife monitoring techniques is an essential part of this project. This data helps to produce estimates of Komodo dragon and ungulate population size and density. To collect data on Komodo dragons, staff are trained on how to use baited aluminium cages for trapping them, marking them with microchips and on the collection of blood samples. The project also uses camera traps for monitoring, and is using them as an alternative to live caging for Komodo dragons. Collection of this data gives a deeper understanding into the current population size, survival rates and age structure of Komodo dragons on the islands.

Achievements and Objectives

The Komodo Survival Program (KSP) aims to protect and monitor Komodo dragons and their habitat with the involvement of the local community. Patrolling activities represent an important component of the Komodo dragon conservation programme. Patrolling is conducted to monitor and control arson in the savannah and grassland, control the occurrence of feral dogs, wood harvesting and halt illegal hunting of deer.

In 2025, Colchester Zoological Society gave a contribution of £1,321.12 to support this project.

Over the course of the year, the team conducted a number of community awareness meetings, including in Sambinasi Village, North Flores. Over the past four years, they have supported the Baar tribe in conducting research and compiling information on the Torong Padang Peninsula, one of the region’s key ecological corridors and home to a population of Komodo dragons.

On the southwest coast of Flores, the team conducted a series of social studies aimed at assessing the socio-economic conditions and community perceptions related to Komodo dragon conservation. This approach is essential for developing social mapping, identifying patterns of human–Komodo encounters, and building mutual trust among community members. A three-day workshop to strengthen technical capacity in processing and analysing wildlife monitoring data, as well as enhancing scientific communication skills, was carried out for five personnel, including rangers, technicians, and Forest Ecosystem Controllers.

Annual camera trapping surveys were conducted in the Golo Mori region, located along the west coast of Flores. The survey aimed to monitor the presence and distribution of Komodo dragons. A total of 30 camera traps were strategically deployed across the landscape, with Komodo dragons recorded at 18 locations, indicating a relatively wide distribution across the monitored area.

In a village along the southwest coast of Flores, a targeted environmental education initiative was delivered at three educational institutions, reaching a total of 115 students and 11 accompanying teachers. The programme seeks to foster a sense of environmental stewardship among the younger generation and build long-term support for biodiversity conservation at the community level.

Annual camera trapping surveys were conducted at three key sites: Wae Wuul Nature Reserve, Longos Island, and Pota District. At Wae Wuul Nature Reserve, a total of 17 out of 26 camera traps successfully recorded the presence of Komodo dragons, confirming continued occupancy in this protected area. On Longos Island, 11/20 camera traps captured Komodo activity and in Pota District, Komodo dragons were documented at 9/19 camera trap stations, further supporting evidence of their occurrence in this region. At all three monitoring sites, the presence of dogs was recorded; dogs represent a serious ecological threat, as they act both as competitors and predators within Komodo dragon habitats. Effective management and mitigation of dog presence in Komodo habitats remains essential to safeguard the species and its prey base.

Click for 2024 Summary

• In 2024, Colchester Zoological Society gave a contribution of £1,290.43 to support this project.
• Over the course of the year, the Komodo Survival Program (KSP) team conducted a number of community awareness meetings in different hamlets and villages, informing the community that there are protected animals in their area and encouraging them to always preserve the Komodo dragon habitat. They also trained naturalist guides to increase the capacity of guides, so that the guides’ knowledge regarding Komodo dragon ecology can be conveyed to visitors.
• Workshops were also conducted focused on analysing camera trap data to estimate Komodo dragon site occupancy at all monitoring sites on Flores, on safe techniques for handling and measuring Komodo dragons and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts using Rinca Island’s abundant Komodo dragon population and on data interpretation and scientific report writing..
• Camera trapping sessions were conducted in a number of locations in Flores, with a total of 18 out of 26 camera traps recording the presence of Komodo dragons.
• Two educational programmes for school children were also carried out with a total of 37 students participating in ecological sessions about the Komodo dragon.