Zoos Victoria has been actively involved in this conservation program since its need was first recommended in 1998 and chairs the Board of the Tenkile Conservation Alliance (TCA). In this role, Zoos Victoria plays a key role in guiding the field conservation program.
Melbourne Zoo staff were part of the field team that established the first hunting moratorium, signed by some of the local villages in 1999. The TCA has two staff members in the field responsible for developing and implementing the program.
The program is working with local communities to protect the biodiversity of the Torricelli Mountains for future generations. Using two tree kangaroo species as flagships, the program takes an integrated approach to conservation, coupling support for community development with conservation outcomes.
When the main program goals are achieved, the Torricelli Mountain Ranges will become a legally protected Conservation Area, ensuring the conservation of their biodiversity into the future.
2004 Project Report.pdf ( 25.6 KB ) | ||
2008 Report to Zoos Victoria.pdf ( 3.4 MB ) | ||
The Alliance is working with the local communities who own the land on which these two tree kangaroos occur.
Find out moreTraditionally hunter/gatherer societies, populations of people in the Torricelli Mountain Ranges have nearly trebled in the past 50 years. This has led to a dramatic increase in the need for people to hunt and eat native wildlife for food.
Find out moreMichelle Cooper is keeper at Melbourne Zoo currently working in PNG with the Tenkile Conservation Alliance (TCA) for a project on sustainable protein farming.
Find out moreSuna's Story
The endangered Scott's Tree Kangaroo or 'Tenkile' has eluded researchers in remote PNG for years until one was discovered by local villagers in 2007. They named her 'Suna' and the video shows her story.






