Preserving tree-kangaroo habitat

Dear difteur-ses,
In April, the TKCP team tested a new method for tracking animals in the YUS conservation area: camera traps. Placed in the field, these cameras make it easier to spot species present, such as the Matschie's dendrolague.
Until now, monitoring has relied mainly on faecal counts, a useful but less accurate method.
The data obtained will be analyzed to plan the installation of further camera traps in 2026-2027.
Thanks to your support, cameras have also been installed in coffee plantations, to complement the observations made by farmers. These images have already revealed a wide diversity of animals (harpy eagle, cassowary) and will help farmers to implement nature-friendly farming practices.

Dear difteur-ses,

The NGO Woodland Park Zoo has developed the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP).

In 2024, thanks to your support, the program has made major progress.

First of all, the team drew up the action plans defining the program's direction for the next few years. These documents will enable the NGO to move forward and serve as guides for other protected areas across the country.

In parallel, the TKCP has recruited 6 land-use monitoring officers. They join the 18 rangers already employed. The 2 teams have undergone various training courses, notably in forest cover mapping and analysis.

As part of the One Health solar energy initiative, TKCP distributed 1,000 solar lighting systems to families in the Yopno area of YUS.

The TKCP continued to support sustainable coffee production by providing advice on business management, production, quality control. The program also provided technical extension services, supporting the opening of nurseries and infrastructure dedicated to coffee production.

The cooperative continues to supply coffee to roasting partners in Australia and the USA. It is keen to develop additional partnerships in the country and around the world.

Finally, the program has organized finance training for local community members, to provide them with initial access to bank accounts and basic financial services. This promotes the economic inclusion of communities.

Dear difers,

In collaboration with Australian company Alacon Aero, the tree kangaroo conservation program has put a new technology to the test to preserve Papua New Guinea's species: drones.

Piloted from the ground, they can capture images of the forest cover and assess the state of the forests. They are also an interesting tool for observing land use by loggers and improving the sustainable management plan in place.

The 3D mapping obtained by the drones is also being linked to the distribution and behavior of tree kangaroos, studied thanks to their GPS collars.

The solar electrification project continues. It both reduces pressure on the forest, by reducing the need for firewood, and limits exposure to smoke within homes. By the end of the year, the teams expect to have provided an additional 1,000 homes with a more sustainable lighting system!
In addition, the tree kangaroo conservation program has finalized its strategic plan. An important document that will guide all actions for the next 5 years. 

The tree kangaroo conservation program is taking stock for 2023. Firstly, a coordinator was recruited, to monitor the smooth running of the established conservation strategy. Secondly, 18 rangers have been trained in data collection and the use of the SMART application. This tool is used to organize the route of surveillance patrols, optimizing their efficiency, and to notify any important elements. Field research resumed this year, and 6 tree kangaroos were fitted with GPS collars to track and understand their movements. In addition, several photographic traps were installed over a 6-month period, to supplement the data acquired through GPS tracking. The association also coordinated the implementation of the action plan and sales of fair-trade coffee produced by local communities. Over 11,000 kg of coffee were sold, notably in Melbourne.