Zoos Victoria is a major partner in the Tenkile Conservation Alliance in Papua New Guinea aimed at protecting the critically endangered tenkile (Scott
Due to increased human populations in their habitat, the Torricelli Mountains, tree kangaroo numbers had declined as a result of hunting. In 1988 it was estimated that only 150 tenkiles were left in the wild.
The Tenkile Conservation Alliance was formed to help the species survive. As part of this alliance, Zoos Victoria has contributed to supporting local people to set up and farm rabbits and chicken as an alternative food source to the tenkile. The program is also capacity building in the local community so that wildlife can be managed by the local people. As a result numbers of this animal have doubled since the program began in 1998.
Further information:
Tenkile Conservation Alliance