Komodo dragon bites park ranger

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A komodo dragon, the world’s largest species of lizard, has attacked and seriously injured a park ranger in a national park in eastern Indonesia, a park official said.

Vion Keraf, an official at PT Putri Naga Komodo, said the giant reptile, which was apparently chasing a monkey, attacked his colleague Marselinus Subanghadir on Komodo Island on Monday afternoon.

Komodo Island is part of the Komodo National Park.

”The dragon grabbed his right foot but finally he managed to escape,” Mr Keraf said.

Komodo dragons, which can grow to three metres in length, inhabit Komodo and several nearby islands, feeding on prey that includes deer, wild boar and even water buffalo.

The ferocious carnivores typically ambush an animal, rip it apart with their large, curved and serrated teeth, and swallow chunks of flesh bigger than their own head, which they can accomplish by unhinging their jaws.

If an animal is bitten but escapes the initial attack, toxic bacteria in the dragon’s saliva soon kill it through infection, and dragons then locate the carcass by their keen sense of smell.

Puri Naga Komodo is a joint venture established under the World Bank-funded Komodo Collaborative Management Initiative to work together with the park’s authorities to protect its rich marine and land biodiversity and develop it as an eco-tourism destination.

Komodo, a 390-square-kilometre island in Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Archipelago, has about 2,000 inhabitants, mostly fishermen and their families, and some 1,300 komodo dragons.

In 2007, a komodo dragon killed a nine-year-old boy on Komodo Island.

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Seychelles meeting promotes ecotourism

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A week-long series of meetings was held last week in Victoria’s International Conference Centre under the theme “Wetlands connect life and culture,” which saw the secretary general of the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands attend the key meetings. A range of researchers, conservationists, governmental, diplomatic, and civil society participants also participated in the discussions.

The Seychelles was chosen for the global event to highlight the country’s commitment to protect the fragile marine ecosystems and mangrove forests along sections of the islands’ shores. Three of the archipelago’s already protected wetlands are now listed as global RAMSAR sites, including the Aldabra atoll, which is only a small part open for explorer and adventure tourism so that the area can be kept free of too much impact. Research and monitoring has clearly a higher priority than promoting a Galapagos scenario. An additional three sites have been earmarked to join the RAMSAR list in the near future, which includes the fabled Vallee de Mai on Praslin Island, home of the coco de mer palm trees.

The Seychelles’ two major economic activities, tourism and fishing, both depend on intact ecosystems and a high level of environmental protection, and it appears that government and civil society are committed to the preservation and, where necessary, best mitigation measures possible.

A new promotional brochure was launched for the tourism industry under the heading “Wetlands and Ecotourism in Seychelles,” which will give visitors to the archipelago added up-to-date information about these critical areas. The new material covers the 20 best-known ecotourism attractions on Mahe, a further 8 such sites on Praslin, and 7 on La Digue islands, while 9 more have been highlighted from other islands across the extensive island chain.
The policy and research unit at the Seychelles Tourist Board has confirmed that this initiative is a result of committing the country to the principles of ecotourism since 2003.

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South Africa an eco-friendly travel destination

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Thinking about a trip to South Africa? One travel expert has commented that the country is one of the best for its drive towards eco-tourism, something that could please people intending to visit the region.

Jeremy Smith, author for Rough Guides, described the way South Africa has embraced eco-tourism as “amazing”.

“When they do it well, they do amazing engagement there, you really connect with South Africa and meet the communities,” he explained.

Mr Smith pointed out that exploring off the beaten track is the best way to truly discover the spirit of a country and have memorable experiences while travelling.

He added that eco-tourism does not need to be expensive, noting that opting for a home stay rather than a hotel is just one cheap way that holidaymakers can give something back to the community.

According to a report released by the Co-Operative Bank in December, spending on eco-travel has increased nine-fold since 1999, reaching £1.7 billion in 2008.

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Floating Development makes use of solar, wind, and wave energy

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Eco Factor: Floating development harvests solar, wind and tidal energy.

The Gyre by Zigloo is a conceptual floating development that has been designed as an underwater skyscraper. The development will bring scientists and vacationers together to understand the ocean, without polluting its delicate ecosystem. Peaking at a depth of 400m, the development will provide space for a comfortable living and working environment, including space for shops, restaurants, gardens and recreation.

The underwater tower will feature a double-hulled vortex that is covered in reinforced glass. The tower is essentially a layering of concentric rings that range in size from 30,000 square meters down to 600 square meters. With a total floor area of about 212,000 square meters, the Gyre will be an off-grid development, powered entirely by renewable energy.

The Gyre’s unique design will allow the integration of systems to harvest renewable energy from wind, the sun and tides. In addition to an array of vertical axis wind turbines, the Gyre will generate solar energy from windows with a glass printed array of solar cells. Moreover, underwater nacelles function both as tidal generators when the structure is anchored and as thrusters for propulsion. Rainwater is also harvested and mechanical systems and emergency freshwater storage basins are in the deepest portion of the structure.

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