What are people doing to help the tree kangaroos?

Answer 1

Not all species of tree kangaroos are endangered. For those that are, the main danger to tree kangaroos is habitat loss. Destruction of rainfo rests means loss of habitat, and loss of food source. Unlike some other highly adaptable marsupials, tree kangaroos need a very specific habitat. Also, in parts of northern Australia, quite a few tree kangaroo deaths are caused by cars. Introduced species such as foxes and wild dogs are also a major problem.

Members of the public can help by always reporting any injured tree kangaroos they may see. People can be vigilant for feral animals that may threaten the tree kangaroos; they can also be sure to drive carefully through known tree kangaroo habitat areas.

There are a number of things that are being done to try and help tree kangaroos. In Australia there is a concerted effort by wildlife organisations to build corridors between remnant patches of rain forest in the hope that this will stabilise the population. In several places, under-road tunnels have been built to allow safe passage of tree kangaroos from one area to another, and monitoring suggests this strategy has seen some success, although more so among native fauna other than the tree kangaroos. Road signs to warn traffic of tree kangaroos have been placed in several locations, due to quite high mortality rates from the animals being hit by cars.

In far north Queensland in the region of the Atherton Tableland (the favoured habitat of Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo), there are several volunteer groups acting to implement the Wildlife Habitat Management Plans. Incorporated within these plans are strategies to reinstate 80 hectares of rainforest vegetation, and to provide surveys and monitoring of the tree kangaroos.

In New Guinea, education is needed to teach the locals the value of saving these species and not eating them. Given that most of the indigenous population of New Guinea (both the Indonesian half and the Papua New Guineans) still live in traditional tribal groups, with their associated culture and practices, this is virtually impossible to achieve. To this end, nonetheless, in 1999 the Conservation Education Program was begun to raise awareness - at least among some members of the upcoming generation.

Answer 2

Although, as of 2013, koalas are not officially endangered, they are still vulnerable, and there are very real fears that they may become extinct in the future If people in the community do nothing to help them. To prevent this from happening, individuals within the community need to raise awareness of the koalas' specialised habitat needs, and increase awareness of how much bushland is cut down for housing and roads.

Housing developments lead to an increase in the number of domestic dogs roaming through bushland, and dogs are one of the koalas' biggest killers. In addition, too many people allow their pets to wander unsupervised. If you are someone who lives in a known koala area, then ensure your dog is always well supervised.

Developments and land clearing also lead to more roads. Koalas have a range of home trees, and their territory is often split by roads through new urban developments. As a result, when koalas try to wander from one of their home range trees to another, they are hit by cars. If drivers slowed down through area where koalas are known to wander, there would be fewer deaths again.

Answer 3

The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is not in need of help. It is not endangered, and it is quite plentiful.