Komodo dragon kills 8-year-old boy

A Komodo dragon attacked and killed an 8-year-old boy in eastern Indonesia, the first recorded deadly attack on a human by one of the giant lizards in 33 years, a national park spokesman has said.

The boy was mauled when he went to defecate behind a bush on Komodo island, Heru Rudiharto said.

"The Komodo bit him on his waist and tossed him viciously from side to side," Mr Rudiharto said.



"A fishermen, who just happened to be the boy's uncle, threw rocks at the lizard until it let the boy go and fled," he said.

"The boy died from massive bleeding half an hour later."

Mr Rudiharto said "Perhaps the lizards' natural prey has decreased because we are entering the dry season and there has been too much deer hunting."