Lesser-known roo a vital part of ecosystem

ONE of the world’s most threatened marsupials had its day in the local sun last week.

World Tree Kangaroo Day was celebrated at Ballarat Wildlife Park on Thursday 21 May.

Mammal keeper Mikaela Murray said the endangered creatures made a vital contribution to rainforest ecosystems.

“They are seed dispersers,” she said. “They eat all the plants and fruits and flowers, and then disperse the seeds throughout the rainforest through their faeces.

“They’re continually helping the rejuvenation of rainforests.”

Murray said tree kangaroos were a special species. There are only 51 in human care.

“The large kangaroos hop and their feet move together at the same time,” she said.

“These guys can actually move their limbs independently.

“A lot of people don’t even know they exist. It’s very important to get the word out before we lose them completely.”

Murray said tree kangaroos were endangered because they faced threats such as poaching, along with habitat loss and fragmentation.

She said their numbers had decreased in the past three generations by about 50 per cent.

“It’s very important we can help them out and hopefully save the species because they’re really important to the rainforests up in Papua New Guinea and Australia,” she said.

Ballarat Wildlife Park celebrated World Tree Kangaroo Day by holding a merchandise stall and a raffle. They also hosted a presentation featuring the furry marsupials.

Funds raised would go towards the park’s conservation efforts, the 14 species of tree kangaroos found internationally and the Tenkile Conservation Alliance.

The alliance undertakes critical work to protect the threatened animals and support Papua New Guinean communities.