Komodo Dragon Predation on Crab-Eating Macaques at the Rinca Island’s Visitor Centre, Indonesia

A study at Komodo National Park revealed that crab-eating macaques constitute 20.7% of the diet of Komodo dragons on Rinca Island, a significantly higher proportion than previously reported. This finding suggests increased predation pressure on macaques, particularly due to their heightened use of the forest floor—likely influenced by ecotourism—which may reduce access to preferred prey species during daylight hours. Researchers analyzed osteological remains and other dietary traces from 2013 while assessing macaque behavior through focal sampling to quantify habitat use. The results highlight a critical interaction between tourism, prey availability, and predator-prey dynamics in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Imron, M. A., Satria, R. A., & Ramlan, M. F. P. (2018). Komodo Dragon Predation on Crab-Eating Macaques at the Rinca Island’s Visitor Centre, Indonesia. Folia Primatologica, 89(5), 335–340. https://doi.org/10.1159/000489969