Animal Info - Tenkile

(Other Name: Scott's Tree Kangaroo, Tenkile Tree Kangaroo)

Dendrolagus scottae

Status: Endangered

1. Profile (Picture)
2. Tidbits
3. Status and Trends (IUCN Status, Countries Where Currently Found, History of Distribution, Threats and Reasons for Decline)
4. Data on Biology and Ecology (Weight, Habitat, Birth Season, Birth Rate, Diet, Behavior, Social Organization)
5. References

Profile

Picture: Tenkile (12 Kb JPEG) (Tenkile Cons. All.)

The tenkile is a marsupial that weighs about 10 kg (22 lb). It is found in mossy mountain forests from 900 - 1500 m (3000 - 5000'). The diet of the tenkile includes tree leaves, ferns, and soft vines. This tree kangaroo is diurnal and mainly terrestrial. It probably breeds throughout the year, with females giving birth at 12 month intervals. In the past, family groups of up to 4 individuals were seen. However, most recent sightings have been of solitary individuals or a female and young pair.

The tenkile was apparently more common and widespread in the past. It is currently found in three locations in Sandaun Province in northwestern Papua New Guinea. Hunting is its main threat.

Tidbits

*** The tenkile has a powerful odor which persists for up to a week on the hands of someone who has picked up one of the animals.

*** In 1990, Flannery discovered another population of the tenkile to the west of the main population. Animals from this newly found subpopulation were much smaller and may represent an undescribed subspecies. (Flannery 1995)

Status and Trends

IUCN Status:

1994: Endangered
1996 - 2004: Endangered (Criteria: A1a, B1+2a) (Population Trend: Decreasing) (IUCN 2004)

Countries Where the Tenkile Is Currently Found:

2004: Occurs in Papua New Guinea (IUCN 2004).

History of Distribution:

The tenkile was apparently more common and widespread in the past. It is currently found in Sandaun Province in northwestern Papua New Guinea, in three locations along the summits of the Torricelli Mountains in the region between Yonkeitei and Wigotei Villages in the Fatima area. Its total habitat area probably does not exceed 50 sq km (19 sq mi). (Flannery 1995)

Distribution Map (24 Kb JPEG) (Tenkile Cons. All.)

Threats and Reasons for Decline:

Hunting is the main threat to the tenkile.

Data on Biology and Ecology

Weight:

The tenkile weighs about 10 kg (22 lb).

Habitat:

It is found in mossy mountain forests from 900 - 1500 m (3000 - 5000').

Birth Season:

The tenkile probably breeds throughout the year.

Birth Rate:

Female tenkiles probably give birth at 12 month intervals. (Flannery 1995)

Diet:

The diet of the tenkile includes tree leaves, ferns, and soft vines.

Behavior:

The tenkile is diurnal and mainly terrestrial, although it climbs trees to rest and escape predators.

Social Organization:

In the past, hunters reported encountering groups of up to 4 individuals (consisting of an adult male, female and 1-2 young). However, most recent encounters have been with solitary individuals or a female and young pair. (Flannery 1995)

References

Flannery 1995, IUCN 1994, IUCN 1996, IUCN 2000, IUCN 2003a, IUCN 2004, Kennedy 1992, Tenkile Cons. All.

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Last modified: May 31, 2005;