Komodo dragons nominated as wonders

JAKARTA, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Indonesians are being urged to vote to include the Komodo National Park, the home of the world's biggest lizard, in a new list of world wonders, officials say.

Indonesian Vice President Boediono is urging his country to vote for the park, which has become one of the 28 finalists for the Seven World Wonders, Antara news agency reported Wednesday.

The competition is being conducted by The New7Wonders Foundation, which says the express aim of the campaign is to undertake documentation and conservation of heritage works and sites worldwide.

Indonesia's Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik urged the Indonesian people to give their votes to the park.

"If the Komodo National Park is selected as one of the new Seven Wonders which will be announced in July 2011, it will help promote Indonesia's tourism," he said.

The national park includes the three larger islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller ones, covering a total of 232 square miles of land.

There are about 4,000 to 5,000 living Komodo dragons in the park, Antara said.