Komodo Dragon Attacks: The Changing of Human and Environment Relations

Komodo dragons, despite being apex predators, do not primarily attack humans due to habitat loss or food scarcity. A 2013 study on Rinca Island, Komodo National Park, challenges the prevailing notion that such attacks stem from ecological disruptions caused by human economic expansion. Instead, it argues that these incidents arise from fundamental shifts in human-environmental relationships within conserved spaces. The research, conducted in a protected area designed to sustain dragon prey, found that attacks persist even when natural food sources are secure, suggesting that conservation efforts alone do not prevent aggression. This insight reframes the understanding of predator-human conflicts, emphasizing social and behavioral dynamics over ecological pressures.

Sudibyo, D. L. (2019). Komodo Dragon Attacks: The Changing of Human and Environment Relations. Jurnal Humaniora, 31(2), 142. https://doi.org/10.22146/jh.35921