Family: Macropodidae
Genu: Dendrolagus
Species: inustus

The Grizzled Tree Kangaroo is the biggest, if not the heaviest species of tree-kangaroo, and has a long heavily furred tail. As with other tree-kangaroo species, the males are larger than the females, in this case growing up to 15Kg in weight. They are found from Wewak through to Vanimo and northwest along the coast, all the way up to the Vogelkop Peninsula in West Papua. They are most active during the mornings and early evenings. It is a favourite food of village hunters in Sandaun and East Sepik Provinces where it occurs. There are two sub-species of the Grizzled Tree Kangaroo: the Grizzled Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus inustus inustus) and the Finsch's Tree Kangaroo (D. i. finschi). The differences between the two sub-species is the colour of the face, D. i. inustus has a grey forehead whilst D. i. finschi has a black forehead. Other reports suggest that D. i. finschi has a darker coloured back in contrast with its limbs compared to D. i. inustus.
The Grizzled Tree Kangaroo (D. i. inustus) is found in lowland and mid-montane rainforest of the Vogelkop and Fakfak Peninsulas in West Papua. It potentially inhabits 35,000 square kilometres. Its fur colour is grey with a rusty tinge. Its tail is very long, pale gery in colour and is very thickly furred. A large, naked callosity is found at the base of the tail and is unique to this species. This callosity may act as a seat for the species. Almost nothing is known about the reproductive and social life of this sub-species of Tree Kangaroo. The status of D. i. inustus is unknown as there have been few recent recorded sightings. The Finsch's Tree Kangaroo inhabits lowland and mid-montane rainforest on the north of the island of New Guinea. It is found at elevations from sea-level to 1500m. Its potential habitat covers approximately 10,000 square kilometres. Its appearance is very similiar to D. i. inustus. More information on this sub-species has been recorded as some data exists on reproduction. To our knowledge it is the only Tree Kangaroo to raise twins.
This Tree Kangaroo is one of three species found within the Torricelli Mountain Range of Sandaun Province, PNG. TCA presently holds three adults (two females and one male). One of our females presently has a pouch young. All came to our care because the mother had been killed. We are presently keeping growth records and weights of these animals.
This sub-species has been classified as vulnerable.

Grizzled Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus inustus inustus )	Finsch's Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus inustus finschi)
Illustrations by Peter Schouten
Distribution of The Grizzled Tree Kangaroo and Finsch's Tree Kangaroo