Conservationists in Indonesia have slammed plans to turn the home of endangered Komodo dragons into a “Jurassic Park”-style attraction, following a photo showing one of the giant reptiles going viral and triggering an online backlash over the development, reported AFP.

Almost 3,000 of the world’s biggest lizard species live on a cluster of islands east of Bali, where they tend to grow to around three meters (10 feet) in length and weigh up to 90 kilograms (200 pounds).

Last month, a proposal was unveiled by authorities to build a tourist development on one of the islands, dubbed “Jurassic Park” after architects published a promotional video of the project with music from the famous film franchise. However, environmentalists have warned that the project would threaten the already at-risk species. 

This week a picture of a Komodo dragon in the path of a truck carrying construction supplies went viral and renewed debate over the project.

Gregorius Afioma, an activist at local social justice NGO Sunspirit said, “The idea to build a Jurassic Park is honestly embarrassing. People come here to see komodos in their natural habitat… these people are selling a concept where (visitors) can walk around indoors to see komodo dragons, which to me is no different than a zoo.”

According to Rima Melani Bilaut of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment, the development would further threaten the already endangered dragons by reducing the size of their habitat. 

The government has clarified that the truck in the viral photo was not linked to the controversial development, which has been put on ice until mid-2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An environment ministry official in a statement said, “If we control it well and minimise contact with wildlife, the current tourism development will not endanger the komodo population.”

Mass tourism, trafficking and a lack of natural prey have threatened the survival of Komodo dragons in Indonesia, which has been a big concern for conservationists. 

Indonesia had last year, scrapped plans to ban tourists from the conservation area and said it would instead limit the number of visitors and raise entry prices to create a “premium destination”.