Why is the Tree Kangaroo threatened with extinction?

Answer 1

It should be noted that not all species of tree kangaroos are endangered.

Two Australian species are listed by the IUCN as endangered, one of which is the Lumholtz's Tree kangaroo. The Goodfellow's, Doria's, Matschie's, Tenkile and the Dingiso are the most endangered tree kangaroos in New Guinea.

The main danger to tree kangaroos is habitat loss. Destruction of rainforests 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.

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

The Bennett's tree kangaroo seems to be Near Threatened because of overhunting by the Aborigines (the native Australians). The good news is that the area where they live was recently protected as a World Heritage Site. The Aborigines, therefor, no longer can hunt them, and the Bennett's tree kangaroo population is recovering.

The Bennett's tree kangaroo's status as "near threatened" is not due to the Aborigines over-hunting them, although Aborigines did hunt them. The Aborigines had a far better understanding of preservation of the species than white man has ever had.

One of the main reasons why Bennett's Tree Kangaroo is almost endangered is because of habitat loss due to human activities such as land-clearing and development, particularly in the area known as the lower Daintree. Because of increased human activity, cars pose a considerable threat to the Bennett's tree kangaroo.

Protection of the rainforest habitat where the Bennett's tree kangaroos lives has stopped continued habitat loss. Dingoes and pythons also prey on these creatures. The introduction of dogs has resulted in these tree kangaroos being killed when people have allowed their dogs to run loose.