The Indonesian government plans to close Komodo Island to the public from January next year in a bid to conserve the rare reptiles.<br /><br />It is hoped that closing the island to tourists will cut the risk of poaching and allow a recovery in the numbers of the animals' preferred prey, such as deer, buffalo and wild boar.<br /><br />The scheme also involves moving about 2,000 villagers, who have lived on the island for years.<br />
