INDONESIA'S KOMODO-FEE DRAGON

KEEN to see a komodo dragon? $500 please, says the Indonesian governor.

TOURISTS keen for close up look at komodo dragons in their natural habitat could be hit with an alarming bill, if one Indonesian politician gets his way

The governor of East Nusa Tenggara province home to the world's biggest Lizard - has proposed charging visitors $500 to see the endangered species, about 50 times the current entrance fee for foreign tourists at Komodo National Park.

Komodo dragons are powerful carnivores that dominate their eco system.

And if Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat  prevails, the park would be off limits to all but ''extraordinary''  visitors with cash to burn.

''[Kimodo dragons] very unique, but sadly they come cheap,'' the governor said this week, during a speech to university administrators.

''Only people with deep pockets are allowed to [see the Komodo dragons]. Those who don't have the money shouldn't visit the park since it specifically caters to extraordinary people,'' he added.

Komodo dragons can grow around three metres in length, and weigh up to 70 kilograms.

The governor who also suggested recreational boats should be charged a $50,000 entrance fee  -said he would talk with central government, which administers the  central park.

The provincial government and federal environment ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the proposed fee hike. [AFP]