Treetop Teddy Bears: Tree Kangaroo Conservation. known to man. These ghosts of the forest (Pickrell) spend their days in the heights of the

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1 1 Treetop Teddy Bears: Tree Kangaroo Conservation Deep within the rainforests of Papua New Guinea hides one of the most elusive mammals known to man. These ghosts of the forest (Pickrell) spend their days in the heights of the forest s tallest trees, leaping, climbing, and bounding through the air. While this may bring to mind an image of a monkey or orangutan, the actual creature is something few people would expect: a kangaroo. Because these creatures are so rarely seen, the majority of people have never even heard of or imagined a kangaroo that can climb and live in trees. Nevertheless, there are fourteen species of tree kangaroos that do exactly that. Like their more familiar cousins on the ground, tree kangaroos are marsupials and live in the Oceanic regions of Papua New Guinea and Australia. However, tree kangaroos have evolved special adaptations to allow them to enjoy life in the forest canopy. Tree kangaroos have strong forelimbs; short, broad feet; curved claws for gripping; and a long tail that helps them keep their balance while high off the ground. All in all, they actually look more like teddy bears than kangaroos! Though they are hard to find and even harder to catch, these beautiful creatures quickly capture the heart of researchers and animal lovers everywhere. However, these amazing kangaroos might not be around for much longer unless steps are taken to conserve and protect them. Unfortunately, all tree kangaroo species are under attack by the most ruthless and devastating predator of all: humans. Human activity has driven tree kangaroos to endangerment and the brink of extinction. Deforestation, fragmentation of the kangaroo s habitat, and hunting have all led to a sharp decline in tree kangaroo populations. The World Wildlife Federation estimates that one tree kangaroo species, the dingisio, has dropped in numbers by at least 80% in the wild over the last 30 years. The beautiful Wondiwoi tree kangaroo species is on the WWF s Red List of the most critically endangered mammals in the world due to overhunting and mining

2 2 in its habitat. It is thought that this species may be extinct in the wild, and if they still exist, their population is estimated at no more than fifty individuals (World Wildlife Federation). As stewards of this planet, it is our duty to protect the tree kangaroos. By regulating destruction of habitat and hunting, creating preserves and forest corridors, and raising awareness of the plight of these amazing animals, tree kangaroos will be saved and allowed to flourish in the wild. Of the many threats that face the tree kangaroos, deforestation is perhaps the most widespread and most difficult to solve. Papua New Guinea in particular has a severe deforestation problem, with logging, mining, agriculture, and livestock grazing destroying up to two percent of its incredibly biodiverse rainforest each year. Industrial logging in Papua New Guinea is a very large part of the nation s economy, and logging lobbyists have an incredible amount of influence with the government. Because of this, it has been very difficult to pass any kind of legislation to regulate it. Political bribes are common, and illegal logging abounds. Though selective logging is the required standard, many companies resort to clear cutting techniques that lay waste to the rainforest and the animals that call it home (World Wildlife Federation). Brian D. Brunton, of the World Rainforest Movement, described the issue of uncontrolled logging in Papua New Guinea: Despite government rhetoric to the contrary, the real situation in Papua New Guinea is that industrial logging presents the greatest threat to the ecology of the rainforest. Clear-felling for log extraction is not permitted in Papua New Guinea. Officially, selected logging is used. However, at present, and for the past two decades, forest harvesting has occurred in a destructive and in an ecologically unsustainable fashion. Put simply, Papua New Guinea cannot and does not regulate forest operations. The prerequisites for damage-controlled logging are

3 3 not being met. The result is that, irrespective of the forest types, the impact immediately after logging is so great that more than 70 percent of the trees of the original forest are so severely cut or damaged that they do not survive the following ten years. (Brunton) Illegal and uncontrolled logging is an unsustainable practice that is destroying the fragile ecosystem of Papua New Guinea, and of all the species affected, perhaps none is harmed more than the tree kangaroo. A study done by biologist Graeme R. Newell showed that after large sections of tree kangaroo habitat were clear cut, they did not relocate to new areas. Instead, they stayed in their same traditional ranges and lived on the ground among the debris of their destroyed territory. These kangaroos suffered a very high mortality rate, as they were exposed to predators such as dingoes and dogs. Newell states, The remarkably strong site-tenacity of this species suggests that habitat availability will be critically limiting to their populations, and that displaced animals will have limited prospects for survival. Year after year, more tree kangaroos are faced with the destruction of their habitats and fall victim to the greed of human industry. However, many people still do not see the need to protect the environment and the animal inhabitants of the rainforest. In the eyes of industrial corporations, environmental sacrifices must be made in order to achieve economic progress. In Papua New Guinea, for example, logging, mining, and agricultural industries make up a very significant part of the economy and have allowed for much human development. By taking advantage of the natural environment, people can create wealth for themselves and their families and pull entire nations out of poverty. Many have the perspective that nature itself exists solely for the utilitarian purpose of human benefit. Proponents of industrial development claim that increasing environmental regulations costs too much money

4 4 and gets rid of jobs. They argue that people are more important than animals, and that human need to use environmental resources is more important than the protection of endangered species such as tree kangaroos (Beder). However, while it is true that human needs must be met, the ideas of using the environment and protecting the other species that live on our planet are not mutually exclusive. We enjoy the right to use the resources around us, but we also have the duty and obligation to be responsible stewards of the planet. Using nature to our advantage in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way is not only possible, but it can be simple as well. One of the ways to stop destruction of tree kangaroo habitat is to use more conservation friendly logging methods. The practice of logging in itself cannot realistically be stopped due to its economic importance, but the manner in which it is done can be changed. Instead of clear cutting entire forest areas, selective logging can be implemented to take certain trees while still leaving the ecosystem intact. In areas where selective logging is already the standard, regulations should be created to make sure that it is being done. For example, in Papua New Guinea, illegal clear cutting is common. The government has the responsibility to ensure that this practice is ended by passing and enforcing legislation to protect these rainforest areas. Another strategy for protecting tree kangaroo populations in the wild is to choose carefully which areas to cut trees from. Apart from the destruction of their habitat, another way that deforestation harms tree kangaroos is that it causes fragmentation of the rainforest that separates different kangaroo populations. Because of this, tree kangaroos are unable to move to new areas of prime habitat and interact with individuals from other populations. This interaction is important because it allows for genetic diversity and permits kangaroos to find new habitats when their former ranges are affected by drought or other environmental perils. When the rainforests become fragmented, the connectivity is lost and tree kangaroos lose diversity and are

5 5 less able to recover from adverse environmental conditions. To avoid this problem, logging companies need to log selectively and leave corridors of rainforest between tree kangaroo populations so that they can be connected and move freely between areas. If the loggers are unwilling to do so, the government must step in and be firm in compelling the companies to obey their regulations. In regions where there is already substantial fragmentation of the forest, new corridors should be planted. In the Atherton Tablelands region near Queensland, Australia, authorities have already begun an effort to recreate forest corridors to aid in the conservation of tree kangaroos and have been successful (Kanowski). This same strategy should be expanded on and used in other regions as well, such as Papua New Guinea. By increasing and enforcing regulation and creating and preserving forest corridors, the harmful effects of deforestation on tree kangaroos will be negated. Apart from deforestation, the greatest threat to tree kangaroos is uncontrolled hunting. For centuries, tree kangaroos have been hunted by indigenous peoples as a source of both food and status. Because they are so elusive and difficult to capture, successfully hunting a tree kangaroo brought renown to a hunter, as described by a researcher who visited Papua New Guinea: The man who has successfully hunted a tree kangaroo has greatness bestowed upon him. He has conquered the largest, most prestigious and human-like marsupial known to his people (San Diego Zoo). Historically, the local peoples of Papua New Guinea had superstitious respect for tree kangaroos. However, with increased modernization, these traditions have been lost and hunting has increased at an alarming rate. Current hunting pressure is unsustainable, and in many areas tree kangaroo populations have been driven to extinction by overhunting. In one recorded instance, a tree kangaroo skull was found by researchers in a cooking lodge of an indigenous village where the current inhabitants had no memory of ever seeing a kangaroo in the

6 6 area, evidence that they had been hunted to extinction in the region. Because of traditional hunting done by past generations, the local kangaroo populations had become extinct (San Diego Zoo). This regional extinction of tree kangaroos is becoming more and more frequent as hunters and their dogs chase them down. If current trends continue, these beautiful marsupials will soon become just a memory due to overhunting. Although the problem of overhunting is serious, the solution is very simple: regulations must be put in place to prohibit the hunting of tree kangaroos. Tree kangaroo hunting is not a main source of food or income for indigenous people, so putting an end to it has no real adverse effects on these communities. However, the difference prohibition of hunting would make on tree kangaroo populations is immense and entirely positive. An example of this is an experiment done in the Torricelli Mountains of Papua New Guinea, where tree kangaroo hunting has historically been a common practice. By 1999, local villagers had hunted tree kangaroos in the area to the brink of extinction. Realizing this, fourteen villages signed an official moratorium to end kangaroo hunting. In the following years, local researchers observed that tree kangaroo populations more than doubled in number, and where once they were about to become extinct they are now thriving. By educating the villagers about the harmful effects of overhunting and convincing them to help put an end to it, great strides have been made in tree kangaroo conservation: Villagers are enthusiastic about the holistic conservation program, and sightings of tree kangaroos are increasing some in areas where they have not been seen for over 30 years (Global Education). This great success should not remain only in the Torricelli Mountains. A moratorium on tree kangaroo hunting must be enacted and signed by all indigenous villages in Papua New Guinea and Australia. If hunting is stopped, tree kangaroo populations will be allowed to grow and flourish.

7 7 Another solution that should be implemented in addition to a hunting moratorium is the creation of nature preserves for tree kangaroos and other wildlife. Currently, only a very small portion of the vast rainforest of Papua New Guinea is protected, with the country s first preserve created only as recently as This preserve, the YUS Conservation Area, was formed from portions of land relinquished by local villagers, and researchers continue to work very closely with the local people to maintain the safety of the diverse species living there (Ziembicki). Setting apart land is a way the government and wildlife protection agencies can effectively protect tree kangaroos from the threat of both deforestation and overhunting. The large majority of New Guinean rainforest is still vulnerable; more preserves should be made to guarantee the long term protection of kangaroos. Finally, to conserve tree kangaroos, it is necessary to increase public education about them. As previously stated, the large majority of people doesn t even know that these creatures exist. It will be much easier to convince governments and corporations to take measures to protect kangaroos if the public itself pushes for it. For example, species such as polar bears, pandas, and killer whales all have much publicity and therefore there are popular movements to save and protect them. Tree kangaroos are an obscure species with extremely little public support. However, the already mentioned solutions to conserve tree kangaroos would be much more effective if the people pressure legislators to do something to save them. To achieve this, it is necessary for campaigns to be made to raise awareness of these amazing animals and the dangers they face. Wildlife groups, zoos, and environmentalists must work together to educate the general populace about tree kangaroos. As we have already discussed, local populations and landowners are much more willing to take steps to preserve the kangaroos by ending hunting and

8 8 setting apart preserves when they have been educated about the wildlife around them and the problems of endangerment and extinction. It is also vital that more research be conducted about tree kangaroos themselves. Although many groups are invested in protecting them, relatively little is still known about these rare forest teddy bears. In order to know exactly how to protect them, it is important that wildlife researchers know more about them. The Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is currently conducting increased research through their Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program to understand more about their behavior, but more funding of these programs and projects is needed (TKCP). Humans have almost caused the destruction of tree kangaroos, so as stewards of the planet and the living species it contains it is our duty and moral obligation to save them. In order to sustainably conserve tree kangaroos, it is absolutely necessary to obtain the cooperation of the government, indigenous communities, large corporations, researchers, and wildlife protection agencies. However, with a combined effort, it will be simple to end the endangerment of tree kangaroos and allow them to live and thrive in their natural environment. By using the rainforest in sustainable and responsible ways, preserving forest corridors, putting a stop to hunting, and creating nature preserves, tree kangaroos will be saved. With an increase in education and public awareness of these incredible marsupials they will become well known and loved by people worldwide. Together we can keep tree kangaroos from the brink of extinction and bring them back to their place in the treetops.

9 9 Photo from Baby tree kangaroo Photo from

10 10 Works Cited Beder, Sharon. "Anti-Environmentalism." Anti-Environmentalism. University of Wollongong. Web. 31 Mar Brunton, Brian D. "Underlying Causes of Deforestation: Papua New Guinea." Underlying Causes of Deforestation: Papua New Guinea. World Rainforest Movement. Web. 31 Mar "Conserving Tree Kangaroos." Global Education. Global Education. Web. 31 Mar "Deforestation in New Guinea." Deforestation in New Guinea. World Wildlife Federation. Web. 31 Mar Kanowski, J., et al. "Conservation Of Lumholtz's Tree-Kangaroo On The Atherton Tablelands." Ecological Management & Restoration 4.3 (2003): Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 Mar Newell, Graeme R. Australia's tree-kangaroos: current issues in their conservation. Biological Conservation. Volume 87, Issue 1. (1999): Web. 10 Mar Newell, Graeme R. Responses of Lumholtz s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) to loss of habitat within a tropical rainforest fragment. Biological Conservation. Volume 1. (1999): Web. 10 Mar Pickrell, John. "Ghosts Of The Forest." Australian Geographic 113 (2013): Academic Search Premier. Web. 31 Mar "TKCP Home Page - Woodland Park Zoo Seattle WA." TKCP Home Page - Woodland Park Zoo Seattle WA. Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program, Web. 10 Mar "Tree Kangaroo." Tree Kangaroo. World Wildlife Federation. Web. 31 Mar "Tree Kangaroos Fact Sheet." Tree Kangaroos Fact Sheet. San Diego Zoo. Web. 31 Mar

11 11 Ziembicki, Mark. "Cultural Conservation." Australian Geographic 120 (2014): Academic Search Premier. Web. 10 Mar

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