No tourists allowed: Indonesia Island closing to prevent giant lizard smuggling

Aerial view of the island 'Pulau Padar' at the famous Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Komodo is world wide famous for the beautiful underwater life, the diving sites and the Komodo dragon. Secluded white sand beaches also spot the islands of the archipelago.

Indonesia is set to place a tourist ban on Komodo Island in an attempt to prevent komodo dragon smuggling.

The island, located in Manggarai Barat in East Nusa Tenggara province, will close from January 2020 according to Marius Jelamu, a spokesman for the provincial administration, as reported by Tempo.

Wildlife shot of a Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)

The Jakarta Post reported the closure is in response to the attempted smuggling of 41 komodo dragons, an endangered species, to be sold for around $50,000 each.

According to Jelamu, the temporary closure will allow for better preservation of the island’s nature and environment to increase the komodo population.

He also indicated that only the island will close, with the rest of the conservation remaining open.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]