Komodo dragon attacks 2 in Indonesia

The Associated Press

Posted: Feb 6, 2013 11:34 AM ET

Last Updated: Feb 6, 2013 12:34 PM ET

Komodo dragons have a fearsome reputation worldwide because their shark-like teeth and poisonous saliva can kill a person within days of a bite. (Dita Alangkara/Associated Press)

A park official says two people have been hospitalized after being attacked by a giant Komodo dragon that wandered into the office of a wildlife park in eastern Indonesia.

An official at Komodo National Park, Heru Rudiharto, said Wednesday the two-metre-long komodo dragon attacked a park ranger after walking into the office on Tuesday. It then attacked another park employee who came to help him. Both were badly bitten and were evacuated to a hospital on Bali Island.

Rudiharto said the park ranger also was attacked by a Komodo dragon in 2009.
Endangered Komodo dragons can grow longer than three metres. Fewer than 4,000 are believed to be alive. They are found in the wild primarily on the eastern Indonesian islands of Komodo, Padar and Rinca.