A tourist was attacked by a Komodo Dragon after he got too close while trying to take a photo.

Loh Lee Aik, 50, was taken to hospital with leg injuries after being pounced on by the venomous lizard in Komodo National Park, Indonesia.

The Singaporean came across a bank of the animals feasting on pigs and goats from a nearby village and 'excitedly' took a picture, according to police.

But he did not realise another Komodo was approaching and was badly bitten.

Loh was touring the island during the Komodo's mating season, running from May to August, when the lizards are more aggressive.

He also did not have a guide, which is against official advice, and failed to report the incident to authorities.

'Luckily it was a small komodo that bit him,' said local police spokesman Jules Abraham Abast.

'He was probably very excited taking pictures of the komodo, he didn't realise another komodo was approaching him and then he was bitten.'

The head of Komodo National Park, who is known only by his first name, Sudiyono, said it was the first attack on a tourist since 1974, when a man was killed.

'He must have been too close. A Komodo doesn't like to be disturbed when eating,' Sudiyono told The Jakarta Post.

Loh had been staying at a village on Komodo island before setting off in search of the lizards Wednesday.

He was given first aid at the site before being taken by boat to nearby Flores island, where he was admitted to hospital and is now in a stable condition.

Thirty people have been bitten by komodo dragons since 1974, with five of the victims dying, according to Komodo National Park authorities.

Recent research has found that the dragons' jaws have highly sophisticated venom glands that can cause paralysis, spasms and shock through haemorrhaging.

The lizards are native to several Indonesian islands, and are considered a vulnerable species, with only a few thousand left in the world.

They can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 154 pounds.