Komodo attacks tourist guide in eastern Indonesia

In this Thursday, April 30, 2009 file photo, Ahmad Main, a park ranger at Komodo National Park shows his wound he got when he was attacked by a komodo dragon a few weeks earlier, at his house in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Main was once again attacked by the giant lizard on Tuesday, a park official said. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

JAKARTA, Indonesia— A park official says a Komodo dragon has attacked a tour guide on a remote island in eastern Indonesia.

Komodo National Park official Heru Rudiharto said Wednesday a 2.5-meter-long (8.2-foot-long) lizard suddenly appeared and attacked Abdul Rachman who was guiding four Indonesian tourists near its nest.

Rachman failed to defend himself with a stick and the Komodo bit his right calf before another guide came to help and drove it away.

Tuesday’s attack was the second this month in the park. Two park employees were hospitalized after being attacked two weeks ago.

Endangered Komodo dragons are found in the wild on the eastern Indonesian islands of Komodo, Padar and Rinca. They can grow longer than 3 meters (10 feet). Fewer than 4,000 are believed to be alive.