THE NATIONAL (Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea) 08 February 08 Dragon fear spreads (Jason Som Kaut)
Investigators from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) may be flown from Port Moresby to Lae to verify sightings of a komodo dragon.
DEC Deputy Secretary Dr Gae Gowae said this yesterday but could not elaborate.
The dragon – the worlds largest monitor lizard – was on the loose and causing fear among Butibam villagers.
Police in Lae yesterday carried out awareness in and around areas surrounding Butibam village.
Villagers at neighbouring Sipaia (Wagang) were warned to be alert when going to gardens or rivers.
The message was spun into tall tales including that of a man being eaten by the dragon. The misinterpretation caused mass panic among the public from Bumbu settlement to Sipaia.
So far, about four sightings have been made at Butibam, village court magistrate Jonathan Benjamin said.
Dr Gowae said that DEC will have to cross-check its statistics on the species before a proper statement can be issued.
If sent, the DEC team would do a physical inspection, visit scenes of sightings, take pictures and identify those responsible for bringing in the dragon before deciding a course of action.
The dragon is an endangered species found at Komodo Island in Indonesia. There are only about 5,000 left.
Charges for bringing the reptile in illegally could mean deportation of the expatriate importer.
Endorsement must be sought from appropriate authorities, in this case the DEC and the National Agriculture Quarantine Investigation Authority (NAQIA) who collaborate to issue permits for import of both live animals and plants.
http://www.thenational.com.pg/020808/nation_9.htm
POST-COURIER (Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea) 08 February 08 Hunt for Komodos
A major Komodo-hunt will get under way today.
The joint operation, involving police, army, quarantine and the Morobe provincial disaster office, is to hunt down several komodo dragons that are reported to be on the loose in bushes around Lae City.
The Morobe disaster office organised the hunt for the giant lizards, who reportedly escaped from captivity and are roaming the bushes.
The disaster officers now believe there may be more than the two initially reported.
One is said to be roaming the bushes between Butibam and Kamkumung villages while the other has been sighted in grasslands near Nadzab airport.
Their reported presence has driven fear into villagers and city residents alike.
Many of them yesterday called on authorities to kill or recapture the lizards and send back to Komodo Island in Indonesia.
There were also calls for police to arrest and charge the expatriate man who allegedly smuggled the Komodo eggs.
Reports said the reptiles had broken out from their pen during a heavy downpour one night last week, and after killing and eating the owner’s pet dog, escaped.
Butibam villagers have reported sighting one of the reptiles behind their village on at least four occassions, and have since refused to go to their gardens.
Yesterday, the disaster office was alerted by villagers of Tanam, near the Nadzab airport, of the presence of a second creature, and with police, rushed to the area.
The disaster officers and police found the villagers at Tanam living in fear.
The villagers said they were disturbed by continuous barking of dogs the previous night and upon investigating found large footprints and several banana trees struck down and ripped out. They also discovered claw marks on the banana stumps.
They said they did not know about the cause until they read about the giant lizards on the loose. They then contacted the disaster office.
They said they are too scared to go to their gardens or venture into the bushes behind their village.
Quarantine officers were also on the case yesterday, asking the Post-Courier for more information about the sightings as well as identity of the expatriate man who allegedly smuggled the reptiles to the country.
The officers said they were seriously concerned about the danger that the reptiles could pose to humans.
The Indonesian Embassy also said they were concerned as it was an endangered species. In Indonesia, a person who puts to risk an endangered specie could be jailed for life.
A senior academic at the University of Technology said the reptiles were dangerous, especially after being kept in captivity.
He said the reptiles are capable of breaking down thatched-houses and attacking other animals, including humans, when they feel threatened or are hungry.
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20080208/frhome.htm
