Tree Kangaroos Have A Smell… | Ep 3

A tree kangaroo that smells so distinctive you'll never forget it, logging deals worth millions, and a conservationist who has spent more than 20 years trying to stop one of the world's rarest animals disappearing.Jim Thomas is CEO of the Tenkile Conservation Alliance and has worked in Papua New Guinea's Torricelli Mountains since 2003. The Tenkile, or Scott's tree kangaroo, was down to an estimated 100 animals when the project began. Today, TCA says that figure has risen to around 300, after communities across the mountains agreed to stop hunting the species.IN THIS EPISODE🦘 How the Tenkile fell to an estimated 100 animals, and how communities helped bring it back👃 Why Tenkile have a smell that Jim can only describe as "like a tree kangaroo"🌳 What happens when conservation comes up against logging, money and outside interests🚰 How water, health, livelihoods and conservation became part of the same projectTHE GUESTJim Thomas, CEO, Tenkile Conservation Alliance.Jim is a zoologist and conservationist who previously worked at Zoos Victoria before moving into conservation in Papua New Guinea. He has led TCA's work since 2003, working with communities across the Torricelli Mountain Range to protect tree kangaroos, rainforest and local livelihoods.Tenkile Conservation Alliance - https://tenkile.com/THE TENKILEThe Tenkile, Dendrolagus scottae, is a critically endangered tree kangaroo found only in Papua New Guinea's Torricelli Mountain Range. Its habitat is thought to cover only around 125 square kilometres of mid-montane rainforest.TCA says the population may have fallen to roughly 100 animals when the organisation was established. Hunting moratoriums agreed with local communities have been in place since 1999, and TCA now estimates the population at around 300.TWHAT YOU CAN DOThis episode makes one thing particularly clear: conservation cannot always be separated from the people living alongside wildlife.TCA works with communities on everything from protecting tree kangaroos to water supplies, village lighting and sustainable livelihoods. You can learn about its projects, support a ranger or tree kangaroo, or contribute directly through:Tenkile Conservation AllianceSOURCES AND FURTHER READINGWe check the numbers our guests use, and say so when we cannot.VERIFIED. The Tenkile is Dendrolagus scottae, is restricted to the Torricelli Mountain Range and is listed as critically endangered. TCA gives its habitat as approximately 125 square kilometres.SUPPORTED BY TCA DATA. TCA says the Tenkile population was once estimated at approximately 100 animals and has subsequently increased to around 300 following hunting moratoriums and conservation work. These are TCA's estimates rather than a complete census of every animal.GUEST ACCOUNT. Discussion in this episode concerning particular logging companies, alleged corruption, payments, political influence or individual conduct represents Jim's account and experiences. Where those claims cannot be independently established from reliable public evidence, we have not presented them as independently verified facts.ABOUT THE SHOWFields, Forests and a Fun Guy is a UK conservation podcast hosted by Tom Holland.Nature Uncensored.FOLLOWInstagram: @fieldsforestsandafunguyFacebook: @FieldsForestsandaFunGuyTikTok: @fieldsforestsandafunguyX: @FieldsforestsFGYouTube: @fieldsforestsandafunguyA NOTE ON BALANCEThis show hosts people who disagree with each other. Views expressed by guests are their own. Where guests make factual claims, we check what we reasonably can and distinguish between independently supported information and personal accounts. If we have got something wrong, tell us and we will correct it.