Komodo National Park, Protected national park in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia
Komodo National Park is a protected area in the Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, that encompasses three main islands and numerous smaller islets. The landscape shifts between dry savannas, mangrove forests, white sand beaches, and steep volcanic slopes that drop down to the coastline.
The Indonesian government created the protected area in 1980 to preserve the largest living lizards on Earth and their natural habitats. UNESCO recognized the natural value of the area in 1991 and added it to the World Heritage list.
The rocky slopes and dry grasslands support deer and wild boar populations that serve as prey for the monitor lizards, creating a natural balance in the ecosystem. Local fishermen share the coastal waters with these reptiles and have learned over generations to secure their nets and respect the animals.
Visitors travel by boat from Labuan Bajo and follow a ranger who shows safe paths and monitors encounters with the monitor lizards. The walks lead over dry hills with limited shade, so early morning hours are most comfortable for exploring.
The waters around the islands host more than a thousand fish species, 260 coral species, and provide shelter for sea turtles and manta rays. The currents between the islands bring nutrient-rich water that creates exceptional biodiversity below the surface.
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