Australiaʹs tree-kangaroos: current issues in their conservation Original Research Article

Lumholtzʹs tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and Bennettʹs tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus bennettianus) are the two largest arboreal folivores in Australia and are both restricted to the tropical rainforests and adjacent forest communities in North Queensland. Both species display cryptic and secretive behaviour, and consequently are poorly studied. Bennettʹs tree-kangaroos are found within a relatively small area (not, vert, similar2000 km2) of the Wet Tropics, however the majority of this area is within a protected ‘World Heritage Areaʹ, and consequently the conservation status of this species is considered moderately safe despite its rarity. The overall distribution of Lumholtzʹs tree-kangaroo, which is also considered rare, covers a larger area (not, vert, similar5500 km2), which also has considerable overlap with the ‘World Heritage Areaʹ (WHA). Despite this, the species appears to maintain its highest densities in forest outside the WHA conservation zone. Lumholtzʹs tree-kangaroos are more commonly found in the fragmented forests on the Atherton Tablelands, and are often associated with remnant and secondary rainforests on basalt soils. These forest communities are considered rare and are poorly represented in existing reserves. This paper considers the conservation issues for both of these species, but focuses particularly on Lumholtzʹs tree-kangaroos for which more data is available. Issues discussed include the loss of habitat outside the World Heritage Area, road deaths of animals, predation by canids, traditional hunting, and fecundity and recruitment. Measures for the conservation of these species are suggested, including measures for the retention of habitat on private land, public education, translocation and captive breeding. The applicability of research on Australian tree-kangaroos to the conservation of the eight species of tree-kangaroos in Papua New Guinea is also considered.