| Location: | Papua New Guinea |
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| Project Managers: | Alice Seyfried |
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| Species: | Echidna and Tree Kangaroo |
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| Priority: | High |
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Paradise FoundThe lush tropical forests of Papua New Guinea are home to animals found nowhere else in the world. These unique species include gorgeous birds of paradise, kangaroos that live in the treetops and an egg-laying mammal covered in spines called the long-beaked echidna. Add to that list the biggest butterflies, longest lizards, largest eagles and many species of brilliantly colored frogs and it becomes clear that Papua New Guinea is a paradise of rare and wonderfully distinct species, many of which to continue to be discovered. The unique flora and fauna of Papua New Guinea are being threatened by mining, logging and over-hunting. The Saint Louis Zoo, along with our conservation partners, is working to conserve habitat in Papua New Guinea and to provide new opportunities for sustainable development for the landowners of the region. Working Towards SolutionsSuccessful long term conservation efforts go hand in hand with education. Local children and adults benefit from educational programs that teach the sustainable use of natural and alternative resources. To that end, the Saint Louis Zoo has partnered with the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Project (TKCP) and the Tenkile Conservation Alliance (TCA) to provide such programs. Teacher training, school supplies and college scholarships have been provided for the people living in the remote mountain villages of the Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea. Saint Louis Zoo educators have participated with the TKCP in education workshops in several of these villages providing curricula on topics pertaining to tree kangaroos, bats and the conservation of healthy forests. The Torricelli Mountain range is home to the Tenkile and Golden Mantled Tree Kangaroo. It is estimated that fewer than 100 of each of these beautiful species remain in the wild. This rapid decline in number is largely due to over-hunting by the rapidly growing population. The Saint Louis Zoo, in cooperation with the TCA, is providing rabbits and training in rabbit care to the people of this area. The rabbits provide an available and sustainable source of protein for local families and may decrease the need for hunting of these critically endangered species. Connecting Children and Animals –In St. Louis
Matschie's Tree Kangaroos and Short-beaked Echidna are both exhibited at the Children’s Zoo. Themed demonstrations, storybook readings and craft activities involving both species engage and educate our young visitors. Children’s Zoo educators participated in an art and letter exchange between Papua New Guinea (PNG) students and a class of elementary students from the Kirkwood school district. In Papua New Guinea
As part of the TKCP education team, Children’s Zoo staff worked with PNG teachers to develop hands-on lesson plans and materials for village classrooms. Highlights included skits, songs and traditional dances that demonstrated the value of local wildlife and the importance of conservation. PartnersAdelaide Zoo
Rainforest Habitat Zoo in Papua New Guinea
Tenkile Conservation Alliance
Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program
Woodland Park Zoo
Unitech University, Lae Papua New Guinea
University of Missouri - St. Louis
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