Saving the Bennett's Tree Kangaroo - Australian Geographic lends a hand

Yes, there are kangaroos that live in trees, but only in far north Queensland. There are only two species, the Bennett’s tree kangaroo and the Lumholtz tree kangaroo and both are listed as rare.

In order to discover more about and protect the lesser known Bennett tree kangaroo, the Australian Geographic Society has provided over $14,000 from donations and funds raised with the help of the 50+ Australian Geographic retail stores across Australia.

The funds raised will support a two-pronged effort by Rainforest Rescue and the Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group (TKMG). Half of the funds are going to Rainforest Rescue in the purchase and protection of important habitat through its Daintree Buy Back and Protect Forever Project and the other half will assist TKMG in its study of the population and distribution of the species.

“It is great that the Australian Geographic Society has recognised the research being done into the Bennett’s tree kangaroo and our efforts to protect its habitat. We are delighted that members and visitors to the Australian Geographic shops donated so generously,” said Corporate Partnerships Manager, Ms Lana Nancarrow.

If you are in the Daintree and want to spot one it is not going to be easy. The TKMG says “you will be looking for something the size of a basketball high in a tree, or of a small dog if you can see it more closely. Often its long pendulous tail is first sighted in the tree canopy.”

They are extremely hard to spot however – “even the people researching them have a hard time actually seeing them – despite the fact that they have radio collars on and they know fairly exactly where they are!”

The $7,056.50 given to Rainforest Rescue will go directly towards the purchase and protection of property number 11 in the Daintree, further helping to protect the habitat for Bennett’s tree kangaroos and other species such as cassowaries.

To support the next Daintree rainforest property purchase, or to donate to any other Rainforest rescue project, call 1300 763 611 or visit www.rainforestrescue.org.au

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