© Kenneth Garrett/National GeographicWith its sheer strength and deadly, bacteria-ridden saliva, the Komodo dragon is the top predator in its range.
"The man panicked when he saw the Komodo and tried to escape by jumping on a chair, but the Komodo quickly grabbed and bit one of his legs," Komodo National Park official Heru Rudiharto told AFP.
Rudiharto said the ranger was the victim of a similar Komodo attack in 2009 and was still traumatised.
Another employee, aged 35, heard the ranger scream and quickly ran to his aid, but the lizard also attacked him, taking a bite at his leg.
Both are in good condition after being given stitches at a health clinic, Rudiharto said, but they are being monitored in hospital to ensure an infection does not develop.
Until recently, Komodos were believed to hunt with a "bite and wait" strategy using toxic bacteria in their saliva to weaken or kill their prey, before descending in numbers to feast.
