Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo

Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo
(Dendrolagus goodfellowi goodfellowi)

Illustration - Peter Schouten

The Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroos are an attractive species consisting of brownish-red in colour, with two golden stripes from the base of their red and gold ringed tails, to at least half way up their backs. This species is widespread in PNG occurring from Alotau right through the Central Cordillera to the West Papuan border. There are two subspecies: Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus goodfellowi goodfellowi) and Timboyok (D. g. buergersi).

Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo (D. g. goodfellowi) is found in secondary and primary lowland and mid-montane forest in the mountains of south-eastern Papua New Guinea. It has been located at elevations between sea-level to approximately 800m. Its total distribution may encompass 10,000 square kilometres. Males of this sub-species can reach 9.5kg in weight, however an adult female is yet to be weighed. Very little has been recorded on the sub-species since it was described. It is very similar to Timboyok (D. g. buergersi) but is possibly larger in size and has slight colour differences. Certainly more data needs to come to the fore so to conclude whether this is a distinct sub-species or not. The status of this sub-species is unknown.

The Timboyok (D. g. buergersi) is located in mid-montane oak forest in north-western and central Papua New Guinea at elevations ranging between 1000-2860m. Timboyok has a possible distribution of 30,000 square kilometres. Timboyok is usually about 7.5kg in weight and there is no real size difference between male and female. It is probable that each individual of these two subspecies has a unique pattern of rings on the tail, however this can only be confirmed with Timboyok. Timboyok has been held in captivity at several zoological institutions and has bred in the captive environment. Records indicate that gestation is about 45 days, young are in their mothers' pouch for eight to 10 months and then only stay with mum for another three months. This is a short period of association between mother and offspring.

Timboyok seem to form pairs although more work is needed on wild animals before they can be deemed as monogamous. Timboyok is long lived as captive animals have survived into their late teens. Due to hunting pressure in the centre of Timboyok's range it is classified as endangered.

Distribution of the Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo

Timboyok Tree Kangaroo
(Dendrolagus goodfellowi buergersi)

Illustration - Peter Schouten