The Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) is working to protect the threatened tree kangaroo in ways that also meet the needs of the local communities who share the forests of Papua New Guinea (PNG) with these elusive marsupials.

Tree kangaroos are found only in the rain forests of Australia, West Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya) and PNG. Six of 10 species are found in PNG, in some of the last undisturbed rain forest habitat in the world. The TKCP focuses on Matschie's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei), which is endemic to the Huon Peninsula on the northeast coast of PNG. Endemic species are unique to a certain area, and so they may be more vulnerable to extinction. Matschie's tree kangaroo is classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2004 Red List as endangered.

MORE: The Science Behind Conservation TKCP Personnel About Papua New Guinea DOWNLOADS: 2004 TKCP Annual Report 2005 TKCP Annual Report 2006 TKCP Annual Report 2007 TKCP Mid-year Report 2007 TKCP Annual Report MAJOR THREATS: Overhunting for meat and fur Habitat destruction from logging, mining and agriculture LINKS: Tree Kangaroo Fact Sheet Public Library of Science in Biology article (10/07) National Geographic Magazine September 2007 article

The tree kangaroo is a flagship species for habitat conservation in PNG
The Huon Peninsula is biologically unique, with habitats ranging from coral reefs to rain forests to subalpine grasslands. Species diversity and endemism are high, so establishing protected wildlife areas is critically important to prevent extinctions. The Matschie's tree kangaroo is a popular, charismatic species that needs protection and serves to promote local interest in conservation issues. By showing local people why and how the tree kangaroo should be protected, the TKCP is showing local people how to protect their own futures.

Conservation action requires investment in local communities
More than 95 percent of PNG's land area is held under customary tenure. This means that land-use decisions are made by village-based clan landowners, most of whom have a subsistence lifestyle. Successful long-term habitat conservation thus requires the full support and participation of clan landowners and villagers. Using a community-based strategy, the TKCP is working toward its mission by:
documenting the natural history and conservation status of tree kangaroos through scientific research and interviews with local landowners and villagers identifying and mapping critical wildlife habitat recording traditional stories/beliefs about tree kangaroos and other wildlife improving basic literacy in PNG through support of village schools and local teachers creating, implementing and maintaining conservation education programs, such as the youth art exchange empowering local villages to sustainably manage natural resources by training PNG university students and local landowners as field research assistants and conservation advocates

Background
The TKCP is part of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's (AZA) Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan (TK-SSP). Under the direction of Dr. Lisa Dabek, the program has been working in PNG since 1996. Dr. Dabek is the Director of Conservation at Woodland Park Zoo, Research Coordinator of the TK-SSP, Chair of the AZA Field Conservation Committee, and former Chair of the AZA Marsupial and Monotreme Taxon Advisory Group (M&M TAG).

The TKCP is comprised of three integrated components: research, education and conservation outreach and habitat protection. Local landowners and villagers participate in all components. In addition, the TKCP hires and trains PNG university students and graduates to strengthen local expertise in conservation biology. Currently three PNG university graduates work for the TKCP: Danny Samadingke, TKCP in-country education coordinator and 2003 graduate Balob Teacher's College in PNG; Gabriel Porolak, TKCP field scientist and honor's graduate of the University of PNG; and Karau Kuna, TKCP field research assistant and graduate of the University of PNG.