Indonesia: Singaporean tourist bitten by Komodo dragon

Antara 5 May 17;

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - A Singaporean photographer and tourist, identified as 68-year-old Loh Lee Aik, was bitten by a Komodo dragon, a giant lizard, in Komodo Village, West Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, on Wednesday.

"His left leg was bitten on Wednesday afternoon while taking pictures of a Komodo dragon eating a dead goat," Jules Abraham Abast, a spokesman of the East Nusa Tenggara police, stated here, Thursday.

The location of the incident was some 200 meters from Komodo Village.

The victim arrived in Komodo Village from Labuan Bajo on Monday (May 1) and stayed at a local inhabitants home to take pictures of Komodo dragons.

On Tuesday, he spotted a Komodo dragon feeding on a goat in a graveyard, but he missed the opportunity to take some pictures.

He was later told that usually the Komodo would come back for the dead goat on the next day.

The next morning, he went alone to the same location to take some pictures.

He saw a Komodo dragon eating the dead goat, and while taking pictures of the reptile, he failed to realize that another smaller Komodo dragon had come close by and then bit his left leg.

The local villagers rushed to help him and took him to a hospital in Labuan Bajo.

"Until now, the victim is still being treated in the Siloam Hospital and is guarded by police officers," he added.(*)


Singaporean tourist bitten by Komodo in stable condition
Markus Makur The Jakarta Post 4 May 17;

A tourist from Singapore who was bitten by a Komodo dragon in East Nusa Tenggara is in stable condition while being treated in a hospital in Labuan Bajo.

Singaporean Lon Lie Alle, 50, has been undergoing treatment at Siloam General Hospital and has shown improvement, according to the hospital’s public relations officer, Aris. He was able to communicate with the medical team after being treated, Aris said.

“He is in stable condition, conscious and able to communicate well,” he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

"The medical team continues to monitor the patient's progress and observe him until he is in good condition," he explained.

Separately, the head of Komodo National Park, Sudiyono, said he was also monitoring the condition of the Singaporean tourist.

Alle suffered severe injuries on his left leg after a Komodo dragon in the National Park in bit him on Wednesday. When visiting the park, he approached several feeding Komodos. He intended to take pictures, ignoring locals’ warnings that he should not go too close.

The incident marked the first case of human being bitten by the giant lizard in at least five years. (dis/rin)