The (TKCP) is Woodland Park Zoo’s signature international long-term field conservation program. Director Dr. Lisa Dabek began TKCP in 1996 as a conservation research study to determine the status of the endangered Matschie’s tree kangaroo on the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea (PNG). With habitat protection the primary objective, the tree kangaroo became an ideal flagship species.

YUS landowners are creating riparian corridors to protect waterways. The idea of protecting major streams and rivers for 15 meters on both banks came from landowners in Ronji Village.

TKCP developed a community-based strategy providing benefits and an improved standard of living for local communities, with indigenous landowners and community members participating in scientific research, land mapping, education, and conservation outreach activities. The work of TKCP is focused on the northern Huon Peninsula in the YUS Local Level Government Area (Yopno-Uruwa-Som watersheds) of the Kabwum District in Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. The YUS area includes more than 45 villages representing more than 12,000 people.

Read the full article on tree kangaroo conservation at Woodland Park Zoo