TCA has recently established a hunting moratorium for Weimang, or Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo, (Dendrolagus pulcherrimus). Twelve, out of a total of 18, villages have agreed to stop hunting Weimang for a two year period. TCA aims to visit the remaining six villages to have them join this moratorium. The Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo is presently caterogised as critically endangered. In late 2005 a population was confirmed to inhabit the Foja Mountains-West Papua by an expedition headed by Conservation International. This discovery may mean that the Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo will be down listed as a species and that the two populations are recognized as two sub-species.
What ever the future holds for the Golden-mantled it remains critically endangered in Papua New Guinea and an important icon for conservation in the Torricelli’s. TCA can now conclude that the Tenkile occupies the western half of the Torricelli’s and the Weimang occupies the eastern half. We suspect there is some overlap in the present distribution of the two species although we can’t conclude this presently. It is known, from discussions with village elders, that Weimang was found in the western Torricelli’s some 70-80 years ago. It is therefore imperative that TCA attempts to save the Golden-mantled as well as the Tenkile.

With hunting moratoriums established for both Tenkile and Weimang and holding these animals as flagship species TCA aims to establish the Torricelli Mountain Range as a Conservation Area. A Conservation Area will hopefully protect the Torricelli’s from commercial logging and mining as well ensuring the survival of all flora and fauna within them. TCA has begun working towards this goal and anticipates it will take considerable time, effort and funding to complete.