#hunting — Public Fediverse posts

Idaho Fish and Game says bear encounters are up this year. Here’s why https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/6004/ #Bowhunting #Camping #Deer #Elk #fish #fishing #Hiking #Hunting #Idaho #IdahoBackroads #IdahoDining #IdahoFood #IdahoGroceryStores #IdahoRestaurants #Kayaking

Idaho Fish and Game says bear encounters are up this year. Here’s why https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/6004/ #Bowhunting #Camping #Deer #Elk #fish #fishing #Hiking #Hunting #Idaho #IdahoBackroads #IdahoDining #IdahoFood #IdahoGroceryStores #IdahoRestaurants #Kayaking

Idaho Fish and Game says bear encounters are up this year. Here’s why https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/6004/ #Bowhunting #Camping #Deer #Elk #fish #fishing #Hiking #Hunting #Idaho #IdahoBackroads #IdahoDining #IdahoFood #IdahoGroceryStores #IdahoRestaurants #Kayaking

Idaho Fish and Game says bear encounters are up this year. Here’s why https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/6004/ #Bowhunting #Camping #Deer #Elk #fish #fishing #Hiking #Hunting #Idaho #IdahoBackroads #IdahoDining #IdahoFood #IdahoGroceryStores #IdahoRestaurants #Kayaking

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Monday, August 24, 2026

https://activitypub.writeworks.uk/2026/08/monday-august-24-2026/

‘Feral swine bomb’ includes small pig populations in Arizona

He’s been collecting footage of feral hogs in and around the river north of Redington ever since. A…
#NewsBeep #News #US #USA #UnitedStates #UnitedStatesOfAmerica #Wildlife #animal #Animals #arizona #Environment #Feral #feralpig #human–animalinteraction #hunting #pig #Science #UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture #wildboar #Wildboars #Zoology
https://www.newsbeep.com/us/801455/

Manchester Monday 27th July 2026.

https://mancavgeek.co.uk/2026/07/27/manchester-monday-27th-july-2026/

💁🏻‍♀️ TIL: 🕷️🕸️ Researchers from #Macquarie University discovered a new ballista #spider species in #Queensland’s #CapeYork #rainforest that builds a spring-loaded web snare targeting green tree #ants.

When an ant bites the cone, tension lines fire it into the web at 1,367 m/s² – roughly 140 G – making this the most power-dense biological catapult known. The spider’s use of pheromone-mimicking silk represents a #hunting strategy not seen before in any #arachnid.

👉 https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-discover-a-spider-that-catapults-prey-into-its-web-at-a-brutal-140-g

#ballista #australia #biology #biomechanics #evolution #science #wildlife #entomology #predator

💁🏻‍♀️ TIL: 🕷️🕸️ Researchers from #Macquarie University discovered a new ballista #spider species in #Queensland’s #CapeYork #rainforest that builds a spring-loaded web snare targeting green tree #ants.

When an ant bites the cone, tension lines fire it into the web at 1,367 m/s² – roughly 140 G – making this the most power-dense biological catapult known. The spider’s use of pheromone-mimicking silk represents a #hunting strategy not seen before in any #arachnid.

👉 https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-discover-a-spider-that-catapults-prey-into-its-web-at-a-brutal-140-g

#ballista #australia #biology #biomechanics #evolution #science #wildlife #entomology #predator

Beautiful Capped Langurs and Phayre’s #Langurs are interbreeding, risking both #species’ survival. Pressures of #palmoil #deforestation and #hunting are pushing the #monkeys to the edge in #Bangladesh #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🚫 @palmoildetectives https://wp.me/pcFhgU-9bY?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer

Beautiful Capped Langurs and Phayre’s #Langurs are interbreeding, risking both #species’ survival. Pressures of #palmoil #deforestation and #hunting are pushing the #monkeys to the edge in #Bangladesh #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🚫 @palmoildetectives https://wp.me/pcFhgU-9bY?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer

Beautiful Capped Langurs and Phayre’s #Langurs are interbreeding, risking both #species’ survival. Pressures of #palmoil #deforestation and #hunting are pushing the #monkeys to the edge in #Bangladesh #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🚫 @palmoildetect.bsky.social https://wp.me/pcFhgU-9bY?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer

The Lowlands #TreeKangaroo 🦘🤎 is a #vulnerable #marsupial of #PapuaNewGuinea's rainforests 🌳🇵🇬 threatened by #PalmOil, #mining #deforestation and #hunting. Help them to survive when you shop #BoycottPalmOil 🌴☠️🔥🧐🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/03/lowlands-tree-kangaroo-dendrolagus-spadix/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer
https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/03/lowlands-tree-kangaroo-dendrolagus-spadix/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=Palm+Oil+Detectives&utm_campaign=publer

Beautiful and Doomed: Saving Bangladesh’s Langurs From Extinction

A recent study has found hybridisation (interbreeding) between critically endangered Phayre’s #langurs and endangered capped langurs in #Bangladesh, raises serious concerns about their genetic health and future survival as distinct species. Hybridisation is a serious sign of ecological disruption, and researchers point to human-related threats such as #palmoil and #timber #deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and #hunting as key drivers for them interbreeding. These pressures not only push the species to hybridise but also threaten their long-term existence in the wild, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to address habitat destruction and protect these seriously endangered primates. 🌿 Help them when you shop, go #vegan and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Beautiful Capped Langurs and Phayre’s #Langurs are interbreeding, risking both #species’ survival. Pressures of #palmoil #deforestation and #hunting are pushing the #monkeys to the edge in #Bangladesh #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🚫 @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-9bY

Hybridisation/interbreeding of two beautiful #langur 🐵🐒species in #Bangladesh puts both #animals in serious peril finds #research study 😭. #Palmoil #deforestation is a major threat. Fight back and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🛢️⛔ @palmoildetect.bsky.social https://wp.me/pcFhgU-9bY

This article was originally published in Mongabay and was written by Mohammad Al-Masum Molla, read the original article. Republished under Creative Commons attribution licence. Research by Ahmed, T., Hasan, S., Nath, S., Biswas, S. … Roos, C. (2024). Mixed-Species Groups and Genetically Confirmed Hybridization Between Sympatric Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) and Capped Langur (T. pileatus) in Northeast Bangladesh. International Journal of Primatology. doi:10.1007/s10764-024-00459-x

• Bangladesh is home to less than 500 Phayre’s langurs and 600 capped langurs in the rainforests in the country’s northeast.
• A recent study has unveiled a trend of hybridisation between Phayre’s langurs and capped langurs in Bangladesh, which are listed as critically endangered and endangered, respectively, by IUCN.
• Hybridisation is a vital indicator of ecological change, and researchers are raising serious concerns about the genetic health of the two species and their future existence in the wild.
• The study holds human activities such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation and hunting as some of the causes responsible for increasing the risk of hybridisation cases.

A recent study revealed a troubling trend among the wild monkey population in Bangladesh’s northeastern forests. The study, conducted by the German Primate Centre, unveiled a concerning tendency of hybridisation between Phayre’s langurs (Trachypithecus phayrei) and capped langurs (Trachypithecus pileatus), listed as critically endangered and endangered, respectively, within Bangladesh by IUCN.

This hybridisation of the endangered primates, which researchers of the study say is caused by habitat loss due to deforestation and other human interferences, could push them to extinction in a few generations.

“Bangladesh’s langur populations are small and isolated, limiting gene flow. This hybridisation in restricted populations heightens their extinction risk. Furthermore, our laws primarily protect pure langurs, leaving hybrids unprotected. If hybrids persist into future generations, we’ll face tough decisions about their role in our ecosystem,” Tanvir Ahmed, the study’s lead researcher, told Mongabay.

Monirul H. Khan, a professor at Jahangirnagar University’s Zoology Department, agreed with Tanvir and said that the significance of interbreeding is that these langurs don’t survive for a long time.

“They are usually born infertile. So the population of langur will gradually decrease,” he said.

The study, published in the International Journal of Primatology, recently found that out of 98 langur groups observed, eight comprised both Phayre’s and capped langurs.

“We analysed genetic samples of the species in the lab and confirmed one case of hybridisation. This langur had a capped langur mother and a Phayre’s langur father. Another female with a hybrid appearance showed signs of motherhood, indicating that at least female hybrids are fertile and give birth to young,” Tanvir said.

“The genetic characteristics of a distinct species tend to become most threatened when their hybrid females can reproduce. Fertile hybrid females threaten to bring the two species closer together as the offsprings begin to mix characteristics. That is exactly what could be happening to them,” he said.

The research shows that the ‘spectacled’ Phayre’s langurs and the capped langurs, with their distinctive shock of black fur on their heads, are under threat of losing their distinct genetic makeup to hybridisation.

Researchers conducted the study over five years, between 2018 and 2023, in six forests in northeastern Bangladesh — Lawachara National Park, Satchari National Park, Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajkandi Reserve Forest, Patharia Hill Reserve Forest and Atora Hill Reserve Forest.

The study involved field surveys for 92 days between March 2018 and April 2019 and from July to December 2022, employing three trained local eco-guides to monitor the mixed-species groups until October 2023.

Why hybridisation is a concern

The study shows that, although it’s relatively rare, hybridisation among primates is an escalating concern worldwide, often driven by habitat loss and fragmentation. It serves as a stark reminder of the significant impacts of human activity on biodiversity. The situation in Bangladesh gradually becoming more common emphasizes the urgent need for strong conservation efforts.

The study mentions how hybridisation is a vital indicator of ecological change, raising serious concerns about species’ genetic health. Tanvir added that this study is groundbreaking, as it documents the first hybridisation incidents among these langurs in Bangladesh and their entire distribution range.

Hybrids being fertile could lead to the extinction of the parent species. “Additionally, mixing species can enable the spread of diseases between previously unconnected populations, posing risks to both wildlife and human health, since these animals are often hunted and traded,” said Sabit Hasan, a researcher of the study.

The study blamed human activities such as palm oil deforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting and trapping of primates as some of the causes that can increase the risk of such hybridisation.

“The existence of fertile hybrids is particularly alarming because it suggests that gene flow between these two endangered species could irreversibly affect their future genetic composition,” Tanvir said.

Primates of Bangladesh

Ten of the 121 mammal species found in Bangladesh are primates. According to the hybridisation study, Bangladesh is home to less than 500 Phayre’s langurs and 600 capped langurs.

The Phayre’s langur has a brown to grey-brown back, white fur on its belly and face, and a “spectacled” appearance due to wide white rings around its eyes. Its face and extremities are black, and it has long hair on its head that points backward. Additionally, its tail is longer than its body and has a tuft of dark hair at the tip.

The capped langur is known for its distinctive crown of long, erect hairs on its head. It has a black face, grey to blackish-grey fur on top, and brownish-yellow or orange fur below, with the distal half of its tail being blackish.

The study suggested the government prioritize habitat preservation and create corridors to connect isolated primate populations, facilitating natural langur dispersal.

“If we don’t take action now, we risk losing not just two monkey species but also a vital part of Bangladesh’s biodiversity,” Tanvir said.

Banner image: The genetically confirmed hybrid (right) with its capped langur mother at Satchari National Park. Image by Harish Debbarma.

This article was originally published in Mongabay and was written by Mohammad Al-Masum Molla, read the original article. Republished under Creative Commons attribution licence. Research by Ahmed, T., Hasan, S., Nath, S., Biswas, S. … Roos, C. (2024). Mixed-Species Groups and Genetically Confirmed Hybridization Between Sympatric Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) and Capped Langur (T. pileatus) in Northeast Bangladesh. International Journal of Primatology. doi:10.1007/s10764-024-00459-x

ENDS

Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Sunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus

Western Parotia Parotia sefilata

Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus

Mountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque

Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• WordPress
• YouTube
• Mail
• Mastodon

Enter your email address

Sign Up

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Western Parotia Parotia sefilata

Western Parotia Parotia sefilata

Location: West Papua (Illegally occupied by Indonesia)

Found exclusively in the montane forests of the Vogelkop Peninsula and Wandammen Mountains in Indonesian-occupied West Papua, this species is confined to isolated pockets of ancient, cloud-draped rainforest.

The Western Parotia Parotia sefilata, also called the Arfak Parotia, is a stunning bird-of-paradise of #WestPapua known for their mesmerising, ballerina-like courtship dance. Male #birds fan their iridescent flank plumes into a skirt and dazzle females with precise steps and shimmering throat shields. Although listed as Least Concern in 2016, this designation is dangerously outdated. The forests these rare birds call home have suffered catastrophic #deforestation in recent years due to the explosion of #palmoil plantations. These once-pristine regions are now fragmented and rapidly vanishing. Immediate action is needed to protect the Western Parotia from becoming the next victim of extinction.#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/nNqV1BfSsZY

Unusual behaviours like mounting reveal complexity to the lives of Western #Parotia, thrilling #birds of paradise in #WestPapua. #Palmoil is a major threat. Fight for them and indigenous peoples #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2026/01/25/western-parotia-parotia-sefilata/

With jet black plumage 🖤 and bright green 💚 wattles, male Western Parotia #birds 🐦🦜🦚 of paradise gleam like scaly armour when they dance 🎶 Resist against their #extinction in #WestPapua when you #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2026/01/25/western-parotia-parotia-sefilata/

Appearance & Behaviour

Male Western Parotias are instantly recognisable by their jet-black plumage, metallic green wattles that gleam like scaled armour, and three distinctive wire-like head plumes that curl outward from each side of the crown—features that inspired the species name, derived from the Latin sex filum, meaning ‘six threads.’ A dazzling inverted silver triangle on their head flashes during display, perfectly offset by their elegant black flank plumes which form a flared skirt in courtship. Females are more subdued, clad in streaky brown feathers, allowing them to blend into the forest understorey.

This species of bird-of-paradise is polygynous. Males gather in exploded leks—loosely spaced display grounds—where they clear leaf-littered forest floors to create courts. On these makeshift stages, they perform intricate displays to attract females, combining pirouettes, head bobs, feather shimmers, and rapid shakes. A 2024 behavioural study also observed rare alternative mating tactics, including homosexual mounting and sneak copulation attempts by female-plumaged birds, suggesting untapped behavioural complexity (MacGillavry et al., 2024).

Threats

The Western Parotia is officially listed as Least Concern, but this 2016 classification dangerously underrepresents their current reality. Since that assessment, massive deforestation for timber and palm oil has devastated much of their limited range, particularly across the Vogelkop Peninsula and Wandammen Mountains. The threats are mounting and accelerating due to the following drivers:

Palm oil deforestation

Large-scale clearing of primary rainforest to make way for industrial palm oil plantations is now rampant across the Bird’s Head (Vogelkop) Peninsula. Even remote montane forests where Western Parotias lek and nest are not safe, as new roads are cut to expand plantation frontiers.

Timber deforestation

Commercial timber extraction is removing centuries-old forest giants that the Western Parotia depends on for fruit, foraging and nesting. Logging roads also fragment habitat, increase fire risk, and provide access to previously undisturbed ecosystems.

Deforestation for mining, rubber and infrastructure projects

Government-backed agribusiness schemes are encouraging monocultures such as oil palm and rubber, which completely erase the forest understory and tree canopy vital for the Parotia’s food and shelter.

Mining concessions in West Papua—often enforced with military support—are rapidly opening up forests in the Wandammen Mountains, overlapping with the Parotia’s habitat. Road construction to access mines and plantations is fragmenting the landscape irreparably.

Climate change-induced extreme weather

The species is restricted to highland forest. As temperatures rise and human pressures encroach from below, their montane habitat may shrink to mountaintop fragments, leaving no room for retreat.

Colonial exploitation, military conflict and suppression of Indigenous land rights:

Indigenous Melanesians have stewarded Papuan forests for millennia. Today, state and corporate projects continue to override Indigenous consent, leading to ecological destruction and social injustice hand-in-hand.

These combined threats pose a serious and immediate danger to the survival of the Western Parotia. Without urgent action to halt deforestation and recognise Indigenous land sovereignty, the species could slide rapidly toward extinction unnoticed.

Geographic Range

Western Parotias are found exclusively in the montane and submontane rainforests of the Vogelkop Peninsula and the Wandammen Mountains in West Papua. They are forest specialists, requiring old-growth rainforest to support their complex courtship behaviour and nesting needs. Since their last assessment in 2016, widespread forest loss has occurred across these regions, particularly from illegal logging and palm oil expansion, putting their long-term survival in serious jeopardy.

Diet

Western Parotias primarily feed on fruits—especially figs—and supplement their diet with arthropods. Their foraging occurs at various forest levels, but they prefer mid-canopy and understorey, where fruiting trees and insect-rich foliage are abundant.

Mating and Reproduction

Courtship and nesting behaviour are marked by sexual division of labour. Only the female builds the nest and raises the chick. Nests are often camouflaged in dense foliage. Although the precise breeding season remains unclear, it is believed to vary by elevation and fruiting cycles. Male courtship is heavily influenced by evolutionary modularity in display traits, which have diverged over time, giving rise to the extravagant variety seen across the Parotia genus (Scholes, 2008).

FAQs

How many Western Parotias are left in the wild?

There are no exact population estimates for the Western Parotia. The IUCN has classified them as Least Concern, but this was based on assessments from 2016. Since then, vast tracts of their habitat have been lost. Without a recent survey, the current population trend is unknown, but it is likely decreasing due to ongoing deforestation (BirdLife International, 2016).

How long do Western Parotias live?

In the wild, birds-of-paradise often live between 5 to 10 years, though lifespan data for this species is limited. In captivity, related species have reached over 15 years, but no long-term studies exist for Parotia sefilata specifically.

What challenges do conservationists face protecting this species?

Conservation of the Western Parotia is complicated by a lack of recent data and the remoteness of their habitat. The Vogelkop and Wandammen regions are undergoing rapid transformation due to illegal logging and palm oil expansion, often facilitated by state-backed infrastructure projects. These forests also fall within contested indigenous lands, and conservation solutions must be rooted in indigenous sovereignty to be effective.

Is the Western Parotia affected by the exotic pet trade?

Unlike parrots and smaller songbirds, Western Parotias are not commonly targeted for the exotic pet trade, likely due to their remote habitat and specialised diet. However, increased accessibility due to road construction could change this. It is essential to remain vigilant and oppose any wildlife trafficking.

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon to stop extinction by boycotting palm oil. Always choose products that are 100% palm oil-free to avoid contributing to the deforestation that is pushing the Western Parotia closer to extinction. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts in West Papua and call for greater transparency around the spread of monoculture plantations. Protect the mesmerising courtship rituals of these remarkable birds by fighting to keep their forests standing. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

Support the Western Parotia by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

BirdLife International. (2016). Parotia sefilata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22706181A93913206. Retrieved 6 April 2025, from https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22706181/93913206

MacGillavry, T., Janiczek, C., & Fusani, L. (2024). Video evidence of mountings by female-plumaged birds of paradise (Aves: Paradisaeidae) in the wild: Is there evidence of alternative mating tactics? Ethology. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.13451

Scholes, E. (2008). Evolution of the courtship phenotype in the bird of paradise genus Parotia (Aves: Paradisaeidae): homology, phylogeny, and modularity. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 94(3), 491–504. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01012.x

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Western parotia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 6 April 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_parotia

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• WordPress
• YouTube
• Mail
• Mastodon

Enter your email address

Sign Up

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus

Keep reading

Mountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque

Keep reading

Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

Keep reading

Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

Keep reading

Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii

Keep reading

Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

Keep reading

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

#animals #Bird #birds #Birdsong #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #EndSongbirdTrade #extinction #ForgottenAnimals #FreeWestPapua #gold #goldMining #hunting #indigenous #military #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #Parotia #poaching #songbird #songbirds #vegan #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies #WestPapua #WesternParotiaParotiaSefilata #WestPapua

Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus

Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Location: India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar

This species inhabits subtropical and tropical dry forests, primarily in the foothills and highlands south of the Brahmaputra River and across fragmented patches in northeastern South Asia.

The capped #langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) is a graceful and beautiful leaf #monkey found across northeastern #India, #Bhutan, #Bangladesh, and #Myanmar. Sadly, they are listed as #Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to rapid population declines from #deforestation, logging, agriculture, and the devastating impacts of #palmoil plantations. Once widespread, their numbers have nearly halved in some regions like Assam due to the accelerating loss of native forest cover. Directly threatened by palm oil and monoculture expansion, this species is now confined to small, isolated forest fragments. Take action every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/NhpTmfZuNV4

In the forests of #Bangladesh 🇧🇩 and northern #India 🇮🇳 lives a remarkable #primate with soulful hazel eyes 🐵🐒 on the verge of #extinction from #palmoil #deforestation. Help the Capped #Langur and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2026/01/11/capped-langur-trachypithecus-pileatus/

The intelligent and social Capped #Langur 🙉🐒🐵 is under pressure from #palmoil #deforestation and hunting in #India 🇮🇳 Troops are interbreeding with Phayre’s #langurs to survive. Fight for them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴☠️❌ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2026/01/11/capped-langur-trachypithecus-pileatus/

Appearance & Behaviour

With their black-tufted crown, pale fur, and soulful eyes, capped langurs are among the most visually distinctive primates in the Eastern Himalayas. Their fur ranges from silver-grey to golden orange, with darker limbs and a black cap that gives them their name. They move gracefully through the canopy, rarely descending to the forest floor except for play or social grooming.

Capped langurs live in unimale, multifemale groups with sizes ranging from 8 to 15 individuals. They spend most of their time feeding (up to 67%) or resting (up to 40%), engaging in complex social grooming and vocal communication. Daily movements range from 320–800 metres across fragmented habitats of 21–64 hectares. Grooming is an important social activity, with females often taking turns in allomothering behaviour.

Threats

Palm oil, teak and rubber monoculture plantations

The spread of oil palm and other monoculture crops such as teak and rubber is destroying the capped langur’s native forests at an alarming rate. These industrial plantations eliminate the diverse tree species that capped langurs rely on for food and shelter, leaving them with little to survive on. Once a landscape is cleared and replaced with palm oil or other single crops, it becomes a green desert devoid of biodiversity, pushing the species closer to extinction. In regions like Assam and Bangladesh, palm oil is a major driver of habitat fragmentation and degradation, especially in forest corridors that once connected populations.

Timber deforestation

Widespread illegal logging, often fuelled by demand for timber and firewood, is rapidly eroding the capped langur’s habitat. Fruiting and lodging trees that are vital to their survival are cut down, leaving forests patchy and disconnected. As their home ranges shrink, capped langur groups are forced into smaller fragments, increasing their vulnerability to predators, food shortages, and inbreeding. In some areas, this pressure has led to local extinctions or the collapse of entire populations.

Slash-and-burn agriculture

Slash-and-burn agriculture destroys habitat for capped langurs and often brings them into closer contact with human settlements, increasing conflict and risk of hunting or roadkill. Forest recovery from this can take decades—time the capped langur simply doesn’t have.

Hunting and the illegal pet trade

Capped langurs are hunted for their meat, pelts, and for sale in the illegal pet trade. In many tribal and rural areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur, they are still targeted despite legal protections. Their pelts are used to make traditional knife sheaths, and infants are often captured after killing their mothers, then sold as pets. This exploitation causes severe suffering and has a devastating impact on group structures, leading to long-term population decline.

Roads cut into rainforests for mines and tea plantations

As forests are cut into smaller patches for roads, mining, tea plantations, and settlements, capped langur populations become increasingly isolated. Small, disconnected populations face higher risks of inbreeding, loss of genetic diversity, and eventual extinction. In some regions, such as Tinsukia and Sonitpur, populations have already disappeared due to this fragmentation. The collapse of corridors also disrupts daily movement, feeding patterns, and access to mates—placing enormous stress on surviving individuals.

Hybridisation with other species

Due to the rapid degradation of natural habitats, capped langurs are increasingly forming mixed-species groups with the closely related Phayre’s langur (Trachypithecus phayrei). Recent studies in northeast Bangladesh confirm genetically that hybridisation is occurring, which could result in the eventual cyto-nuclear extinction of the capped langur lineage. Although hybridisation can happen naturally, in this case it is being driven by human-induced fragmentation, forcing species into overlapping territories with fewer options for mates. This phenomenon is both a symptom and a driver of their decline, complicating conservation efforts.

Mining, infrastructure, and political conflict

Open-cast coal mining, limestone extraction, and petroleum exploration have all contributed to the destruction of capped langur habitat across Assam and Nagaland. Infrastructure projects, such as highways and border fences, not only destroy habitat directly but also block animal movements and isolate populations. In border regions, armed conflict and territorial skirmishes have already extirpated capped langurs from several reserves, such as the Nambhur and Rengma forests. Weak law enforcement allows habitat destruction to continue unchecked in many regions.

Geographic Range

Capped langurs are found in northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura), Bhutan, northwestern Myanmar, and northeastern and central Bangladesh. They occur at elevations from 10 to 3,000 metres across hill forests, riverine reserves, and protected areas. However, their range is now severely fragmented by human development, with some populations disappearing from former strongholds due to mining, conflict, and agricultural encroachment.

Diet

Primarily folivorous, the capped langur’s diet includes mature and young leaves, petioles, seeds, flowers, bamboo shoots, bark, and occasionally caterpillars. They forage on more than 43 plant species, with favourites including banyan (Ficus benghalensis), sacred fig (Ficus religiosa), Terminalia bellerica, and Mallotus philippensis. Seasonal availability influences their feeding patterns, but they consistently prefer fruiting and flowering trees.

Mating and Reproduction

Breeding usually occurs in the dry season, with birthing concentrated between late December and May. The gestation period lasts about 200 days, and the interbirth interval is approximately two years. Only parous females participate in allomothering, allowing new mothers time to forage and recover, a behaviour rare among langurs and considered a form of altruism.

FAQs

How many capped langurs are left in the wild?

Exact numbers are uncertain, but estimates suggest the population in Assam has declined from 39,000 in 1989 to approximately 18,600 between 2008 and 2014 (Choudhury, 2014). This halving reflects habitat loss and increasing fragmentation, particularly in Upper Assam and the Barak Valley.

What is the average lifespan of a capped langur?

While data is limited, langurs of this genus generally live 20–25 years in the wild. Captive lifespans may extend slightly due to the absence of predators and constant food supply, though such conditions often lead to stress.

Why are capped langurs under threat?

Their decline is due to relentless deforestation, palm oil and monoculture plantations, illegal logging, and road-building. Slash-and-burn agriculture and mining also play a major role. Capped langurs are hunted in some regions for meat, pelts, and as pets, particularly in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.

Do capped langurs make good pets?

Absolutely not. Capped langurs are intelligent, social beings that rely on complex forest habitats and close-knit family groups. Removing them from the wild fuels extinction and causes immense trauma. Many die during illegal capture and transport. Keeping them as pets is a selfish act that destroys lives. If you care about capped langurs, never support the exotic pet trade!

What are the major conservation challenges for capped langurs?

The biggest issues are hybridisation with other primate species, habitat fragmentation, palm oil expansion, and human-wildlife conflict. The 2018 study in Satchari National Park found that local attitudes toward conservation vary by occupation, education, and gender, which means education and outreach are crucial. A big challenge is the rise in hybridisation with sympatric Phayre’s langurs, driven by habitat degradation—this poses long-term genetic risks (Ahmed et al., 2024).

Take Action!

Capped langurs are vanishing before our eyes, driven to the brink by out-of-control palm oil expansion, deforestation, and development. You can help save them.

Refuse to buy products made with palm oil. Support indigenous-led conservation in northeast India and the Eastern Himalayas. Demand governments halt the destruction of old-growth forests and restore wildlife corridors. Spread awareness and challenge the illegal wildlife trade. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

Support the Capped Langur by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Ahmed, T., Hasan, S., Nath, S., Biswas, S., et al. (2024). Mixed-Species Groups and Genetically Confirmed Hybridization Between Sympatric Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) and Capped Langur (T. pileatus) in Northeast Bangladesh. International Journal of Primatology, 46(1), 210–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-024-00459-x

Das, J., Chetry, D., Choudhury, A.U., & Bleisch, W. (2020). Trachypithecus pileatus (errata version published in 2021). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22041A196580469. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22041A196580469.en

Hasan, M.A.U., & Neha, S.A. (2018). Group size, composition and conservation challenges of capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) in Satchari National Park, Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339550399

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Capped langur. Retrieved April 6, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capped_langur

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• WordPress
• YouTube
• Mail
• Mastodon

Enter your email address

Sign Up

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Mountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque

Keep reading

Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

Keep reading

Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis

Keep reading

Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii

Keep reading

Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

Keep reading

Ecuadorean Viscacha Lagidium ahuacaense

Keep reading

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

#animals #Assam #Bangladesh #Bantrophyhunting #Bhutan #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #CappedLangurTrachypithecusPileatus #deforestation #extinction #ForgottenAnimals #humanWildlifeConflict #hunting #illegalPetTrade #India #langur #Langurs #mining #monkey #monkeys #Myanmar #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #PhayreSLeafMonkeyTrachypithecusPhayrei #poaching #Primate #vegan #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies

Texas Lawmaker Who Breeds Deer Wants to Abolish Texas Parks and Wildlife Agency That Regulates Him

In one of the more brazen acts of the 2025 Texas legislative session, a lawmaker who breeds high-fence deer has introduced a law to abolish the state fish-and-game agency that also helps regulate the breeding of high-fence deer.

https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/texas-lawmaker-deer-breeder-abolish-tpwd/

#TPWD #Texas #Conservation #Hunting #ChronicWastingDisease #CWD #DeerBreeding

#hunting #prions
https://cardinalnews.org/2024/09/23/chronic-wasting-disease-gets-further-entrenched-in-virginia/

Residents living next to the former #RoyalOak golf course in #Saanich fear that #IllegalHunting has caused a “significant drop" in the local population of #CaliforniaQuail.

“Since early July, several people have witnessed and reported frequent trapping of quail to the Capital Regional District #CRD and other authorities,” said a resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “We believe the trappers have almost decimated the quail population on and around the property.”

#BritishColumbia regulations only allow for California #quail to be hunted during October and November, by someone with a #hunting license. However, as the 10.94 hectare piece of land, adjacent to #ElkBeaverLake Regional Park, is owned and managed by the CRD, any hunting of wildlife, including quail, is a violation of a #CRDparks bylaw.

The COS and the CRD have asked that anyone with information should contact the Report All #Poachers and Polluters hotline at 1-877-952-7277.

https://www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com/home2/quail-decimated-by-illegal-poaching-in-island-area-residents-say-7501263

#Wsanec #Wildlife #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #birds

Versuch trotz chaotischer Tage immer mal für ein paar Stunden in einem Buch zu versinken.
Heute : #Schwarzwild von Hans-Dieter Pfannenstiel
-
The days are quite chaotic atm but I still try to spend a few hours reading every now and then.
Today: #wildboars by Hans-Dieter Pfannenstiel

#Hunting #jagd #buch #book

Heutige Lektüre: "Die nächtliche Jagd auf Schwarzwild" von Christian Seif
-
Today's reading material: "The night stalk of wild boars" by Christian Seif

#hunting #jagd #wildboars #schwarzwild #bok #buch

The thrill of the hunt. A predator stalks up on the herd, ready to pounce. #ladybug #ladybird #aphids #predators #hunting #PredatorAndPrey #milkweed #NaturePhotography

Lowlands Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus spadix

Lowlands Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus spadix

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Location: The Lowlands Tree Kangaroo is native to Papua New Guinea, found in the limestone karst forests of the Gulf and Western provinces. These dense, humid jungles are difficult to traverse, providing a natural refuge for this elusive species. However, increased human access due to roads and logging threatens their survival.

The Lowlands Tree #Kangaroo Dendrolagus spadix is a #Vulnerable species endemic to the forests of #PapuaNewGuinea. Unlike their ground-dwelling relatives, they are agile climbers, leaping through lush rainforest canopies with ease despite their bulky size. However, their survival is in peril due to widespread #deforestation driven by #palmoil plantations, #timber logging, and expansion of #roads, which has led to habitat destruction and increased #hunting pressures. If urgent action is not taken, this unique species faces further decline. Take action and resist for this species every time you shop and go #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket.

The Lowlands #TreeKangaroo 🦘🤎 is a #vulnerable #marsupial of #PapuaNewGuinea’s rainforests 🌳🇵🇬 threatened by #PalmOil, #mining #deforestation and #hunting. Help them to survive when you shop #BoycottPalmOil 🌴☠️🔥🧐🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/03/lowlands-tree-kangaroo-dendrolagus-spadix/

Despite their chunky size, Lowlands Tree #Kangaroos 🦘 are able to leap many metres. They’re #vulnerable due to #palmoil and #hunting in #PapuaNewGuinea. Fight for them when you shop, go #PalmOilFree and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🚫#Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/03/lowlands-tree-kangaroo-dendrolagus-spadix/

Appearance & Behaviour

The Lowlands Tree Kangaroo is a striking, muscular marsupial with a dense coat of rich auburn, fading to golden hues on their belly and limbs. Unlike their ground-dwelling kangaroo relatives, they are built for life in the treetops, with stocky limbs, powerful claws, and an impressively long tail used for balance.

Watching a Lowlands Tree Kangaroo move is a surreal experience. On the ground, they amble in an almost bear-like gait, placing one foot in front of the other in a slow, deliberate waddle. Yet, when they climb, they transform into graceful acrobats, using their strong forelimbs to hoist themselves into the canopy with surprising ease. Despite their bulky build, they can leap remarkable distances between branches, navigating the dense jungle with grace.

Appearance & Behaviour

Largely solitary, these secretive tree-dwellers emerge at dusk to forage, preferring the cool, shadowy undergrowth or the safety of high branches. Their excellent camouflage and quiet nature make them incredibly difficult to spot in the wild.

Diet

The Lowlands Tree Kangaroo is a dedicated folivore, primarily feasting on a variety of leaves, fruits, flowers, and occasionally fungi. Their slow metabolism allows them to extract maximum nutrition from their fibrous diet. However, their reliance on specific plants means that large-scale deforestation can have devastating consequences, cutting off vital food sources.

Logging and land clearing for palm oil plantations pose a severe threat by destroying primary forests and forcing these marsupials into fragmented, less suitable habitats.

Reproduction & Mating

The Lowlands Tree Kangaroo has a slow reproductive rate, with females typically giving birth to a single tiny, jellybean-sized joey. This vulnerable newborn crawls into their mother’s pouch, where they remain hidden for several months. Even after emerging, the joey clings to their mother’s back for up to a year, learning essential survival skills before venturing out on their own.

This slow, careful nurturing process makes the species highly vulnerable to population declines. When individuals are lost due to hunting or habitat destruction, it takes a long time for their numbers to recover.

Threats

Deforestation & Habitat Loss

The Lowlands Tree Kangaroo’s biggest threat is habitat destruction caused by industrial logging and land clearing. A staggering 75% of their range is now covered by logging concessions, leading to habitat fragmentation and food shortages (IUCN, 2016).

Palm Oil & Infrastructure Development

The expansion of palm oil plantations is devastating for the species, as vast stretches of forest are cleared for monoculture crops. New roads built for logging and petroleum extraction have also opened up previously inaccessible regions, leading to increased human encroachment.

Hunting & Increased Human Access

Traditionally, hunting of the Lowlands Tree Kangaroo was limited due to the rugged and remote nature of their habitat. However, as roads now cut into once-inaccessible forests, hunting pressure has escalated. While local communities have long relied on the species as a food source, increased access has made hunting more widespread and unsustainable.

FAQs

Where do Lowlands Tree Kangaroos live?

The Lowlands Tree Kangaroo is native to Papua New Guinea, specifically found in the limestone karst forests of the Gulf and Western provinces. These forests are rugged and remote, providing some protection from human encroachment, though logging and road expansion are rapidly changing their habitat.

Why are Lowlands Tree Kangaroos endangered?

They are classified as Vulnerable due to habitat destruction, hunting, and increased human access to their previously isolated range. Over 75% of their habitat is now covered by logging and palm oil concessions, and road construction has led to an increase in hunting pressure. Palm oil plantations also contribute to large-scale deforestation, further reducing their numbers (IUCN, 2016).

What do Lowlands Tree Kangaroos eat?

Their diet consists mainly of leaves, fruits, flowers, and occasionally fungi. They rely on a slow metabolism to extract nutrients from fibrous plants, meaning they are particularly vulnerable to habitat destruction that removes key food sources.

Are Lowlands Tree Kangaroos social animals?

No, they are primarily solitary. Unlike ground-dwelling kangaroos, they do not form large groups. They prefer to navigate the dense rainforest canopy alone, only coming together briefly for mating.

Do they move like regular kangaroos?

In some ways they do, but in other ways they don’t. While ground-dwelling kangaroos hop over long distances on the ground, Lowlands Tree Kangaroos move in a slow, deliberate manner, placing one foot in front of the other, much like a bear. In trees, however, they are surprisingly agile, using their strong limbs to grip to tree branches and their long tails and strong legs to leap between branches. They are able to leap several metres at a time between tree canopies and can descend from trees up to 20 metres without injury.

Are Lowlands Tree Kangaroos hunted?

Yes, they are traditionally hunted by local communities for food. However, this was historically sustainable due to the remote nature of their habitat. Now, with new roads making hunting easier, populations are at risk of decline.

How does palm oil deforestation affect them?

Palm oil plantations are a major driver of deforestation in Papua New Guinea, destroying vast areas of rainforest. As the trees are cleared, Lowlands Tree Kangaroos lose their food sources and shelter, forcing them into smaller, fragmented habitats where they are more vulnerable to hunting and other threats.

How long do baby Lowlands Tree Kangaroos stay with their mothers?

Joeys stay in their mother’s pouch for several months before emerging. Even after leaving the pouch, they cling to their mother’s back and remain dependent on her for nearly a year. This slow reproductive cycle makes population recovery difficult if too many individuals are lost.

What can be done to protect them?

• Boycott products containing palm oil, which is a major threat to their continued existence.
• Support indigenous land rights, as traditional landowners help protect these forests.
• • Donate to conservation groups working to protect Papua New Guinea’s forests such as Tenkile.
• • Raise awareness by sharing information about the threats they face.

Are tree kangaroos protected by law?

While tree kangaroos are recognised as vulnerable species, weak enforcement of conservation laws in Papua New Guinea and the expansion of industrial projects continue to put them at risk. Conservation efforts must focus on habitat protection and stronger regulations against deforestation and hunting.

How can I help tree kangaroos from home?

• Always choose products that are 100% palm oil-free to avoid contributing to deforestation and biodiversity loss.
• Spread awareness on social media using hashtags like #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife.
• Support conservation projects that work to protect Papua New Guinea’s forests and wildlife.

Take Action!

The survival of the Lowlands Tree Kangaroo depends on urgent conservation action. You can help by:

• Boycotting palm oil products and choosing brands that do not contribute to deforestation.
• Advocating for indigenous land rights, as traditional landowners play a key role in protecting these forests.
• Supporting conservation organisations that fight against logging and land conversion in Papua New Guinea.
• Raising awareness about the threats facing the Lowlands Tree Kangaroo by sharing information on social media using the hashtags #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

You can support the conservation of this animal:

Tenkile Conservation Alliance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WAiBl_b2cE

There are now logging concessions over almost 75% of the species inferred range. There has presumably been significant habitat disturbance and reduction in habitat quality as a result of logging

IUCN Red List

Further Information

Leary, T., Seri, L., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Helgen, K., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Allison, A., James, R., Dickman, C., Aplin, K., Salas, L., Flannery, T. & Bonaccorso, F. 2016. Dendrolagus spadix. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T6436A21956250. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T6436A21956250.en. Downloaded on 03 February 2021.

McGreevy, T. J., Dabek, L., & Husband, T. P. (2011). Tree kangaroo molecular systematics based on partial cytochrome b sequences: are Matschie’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei) and Goodfellow’s tree kangaroo (D. goodfellowi buergersi) sister taxa? Australian Mammalogy, 34(1), 18-28. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM10017

You can support the conservation of this animal:

Tenkile Conservation Alliance

Lowlands Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus spadix

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• WordPress
• YouTube
• Mail
• Mastodon

Enter your email address

Sign Up

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #hunting #Indonesia #kangaroo #Kangaroos #LowlandsTreeKangarooDendrolagusSpadix #Macropod #Mammal #Marsupial #mining #palmoil #palmoilfree #PapuaNewGuineaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuinea #roads #timber #TreeKangaroo #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus pulcherrimus

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus pulcherrimus

Red List Status: Critically Endangered

Location: Papua New Guinea (Torricelli Range), West Papua (Foja Mountains)

In the misty cloud forests of New Guinea’s mountains, where ancient trees emerge from perpetual fog and birdsong echoes through emerald canopies, Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos move with quiet grace through their vanishing world.

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos are one of the world’s rarest marsupials. Rarely glimpsed in the wild, their distinctive chestnut coats are adorned with golden stripes. These remarkable climbing kangaroos have suffered a catastrophic 90% population decline over three generations, leaving fewer than 500 individuals clinging on for survival in two remote mountain ranges. Palm oil expansion strips away their ancient forest homes while hunting pressure decimates remaining populations. The Tenkile Conservation Alliance protects the Torricelli population through community-based conservation, offering hope for recovery. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Golden-mantled Tree #Kangaroos 🦘🤎 are critically endangered #marsupials of #PapuaNewGuinea 🇵🇬 They’re on the edge of #extinction from #palmoil #deforestation and #hunting. Resist for them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴☠️🤮🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/26/golden-mantled-tree-kangaroo-dendrolagus-pulcherrimus/

Appearance and behaviour

The lowland areas of their distribution are earmarked for deforestation and oil palm expansion.

IUCN Red List

These resilient Tree Kangaroos display the physiological adaptations of arboreal marsupials with chestnut-brown coats, pale bellies, and distinctive double golden stripes running down their backs. Their yellowish necks, cheeks, and feet create a striking contrast against their darker fur, while their powerful tails marked with pale rings provide essential balance during canopy travel. These compact marsupials measure 40-77 centimetres in body length with tails reaching 40-87 centimetres.

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos possess powerful forelimbs and curved claws perfectly adapted for gripping bark and branches. Their shorter hind legs allow independent movement essential for navigating complex three-dimensional forest environments. Unlike ground kangaroos, these arboreal specialists can move both forwards and backwards along branches, using their long tails as fifth limbs for stability and balance.

Diet

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos are primarily folivorous, feeding on leaves from dozens of plant species found throughout their montane forest habitat. They supplement their diet with seasonal fruits, herbs, and sedges, spending considerable time foraging both in trees and on the forest floor. These selective feeders prefer young leaves and shoots from specific plant species, making them vulnerable when preferred food sources disappear.

Their feeding behaviour includes both arboreal and terrestrial foraging, with Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos descending to ground level to access fallen fruits and herbs. This dietary flexibility has allowed them to persist in their restricted mountain habitats, though their dependence on specific plant species makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat conversion and fragmentation.

Reproduction and mating

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos reach sexual maturity at approximately two years of age with no defined breeding season. Females have an oestrous cycle estimated at 54 days with a gestation period of about 45 days. Once born, the tiny joey remains in the mother’s pouch for 10 months before emerging to spend another 2-3 months at foot, learning essential climbing and foraging skills.

These marsupials live relatively long lives, with captive individuals surviving over 14 years, suggesting wild Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos could live 8-10 years under optimal conditions. Their extended dependency period reflects the complex skills required for arboreal survival, with mothers teaching joeys essential climbing techniques and food recognition during their extended care period.

Geographic Range

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos now survive in only two isolated mountain ranges across New Guinea. The Torricelli Range population in Papua New Guinea extends from Weight to Kuliek, while a smaller population persists in West Papua’s Foja Mountains. Fossil records indicate they once ranged across the Vogelkop Peninsula and other areas, but have been extirpated from 99% of their historical range.

Unconfirmed sightings from Papua New Guinea’s Prince Alexander Range suggest possible remnant populations, though these require verification. Their extremely restricted range of just 300 square kilometres makes Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from habitat loss, hunting, or natural disasters.

Threats

Industrial palm oil deforestation

Palm oil companies systematically bulldoze and burn Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo habitat across West Papua, replacing mid-montane rainforests with lifeless monocultures. Korean company Korindo has destroyed 11,700 hectares of pristine rainforest in recent years, eliminating the complex canopy structure these arboreal marsupials require for survival. The company burns forests illegally, knowing this practice destroys critical habitat for tree kangaroos, birds of paradise, and cassowaries. Palm oil expansion has eliminated lowland portions of their range entirely, forcing Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos into higher elevation refuges. Plantation development fragments the continuous forest cover essential for these territorial animals, creating isolated patches too small to support viable populations.

Hunting for bushmeat

Local communities hunt Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos for subsistence protein, targeting them with guns during opportunistic forest expeditions. Hunting pressure intensifies near human settlements where access improves through road development and infrastructure expansion. The species’ small group sizes and territorial nature make them particularly vulnerable to hunting pressure, with entire local populations eliminated through intensive harvesting.

Infrastructure and road projects

Road construction opens previously inaccessible mountain areas to human exploitation, bringing hunting pressure and habitat disturbance into formerly secure territories. Small-scale agriculture eliminates forest understory vegetation while creating edge effects that degrade remaining habitat quality. The conversion of traditional forest management systems to intensive agriculture removes the ecological balance that historically supported both human communities and wildlife populations.

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop. Adopt a vegan lifestyle protecting both wild and farmed animals from agricultural expansion. Support the Tenkile Conservation Alliance’s community-based protection programmes recognising indigenous land rights. Refuse products containing palm oil, as this is driving Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos towards extinction. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

FAQs

How do Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos climb trees?

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos have powerful forelimbs with curved claws that grip bark securely, while their shorter hind legs allow independent movement essential for navigating branches. They possess strong grips on their paws and foot soles providing non-slip traction when climbing. Their long tails act as fifth limbs, pressing against tree trunks for balance and stability during movement.

What do Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos eat?

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves from 91 known plant species, seasonal fruits, herbs, and sedges found in their montane forest habitat. They spend considerable time foraging both in trees and on the forest floor, preferring young leaves and shoots from specific plant species. Some sources suggest they occasionally consume young birds and bird eggs, though their diet consists predominantly of plant matter. Their selective feeding habits make them vulnerable when preferred food sources disappear due to habitat conversion or climate change.

How long do Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos live?

In the wild, they typically live approximately 8-10 years, though current threats including hunting and habitat destruction may be reducing average lifespans. Captive individuals have survived over 14 years, suggesting they have potential for longer lifespans when protected from human pressures. Their generation length is approximately 10 years, indicating they reach reproductive maturity relatively late compared to smaller marsupials.

How big are Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos?

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos measure 40-77 centimetres in body length with tails reaching 40-87 centimetres, making them substantially smaller than ground kangaroos. They weigh approximately 15.5 kilograms, a relatively light build essential for their arboreal lifestyle where they must be supported by tree branches. Both males and females are similar in size, showing less sexual dimorphism than many other kangaroo species.

Why are Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos endangered?

Tragically, these tree kangaroos have experienced a catastrophic 90% population decline over three generations due to palm oil deforestation and hunting pressure. Palm oil companies have destroyed 99% of their historical habitat, replacing mid-montane rainforests with monoculture plantations offering no food or shelter. Hunting for bushmeat provides essential protein for local communities but removes breeding individuals from critically small populations. Their extremely restricted range of just 300 square kilometres makes them vulnerable to local extinctions, while habitat fragmentation prevents genetic exchange between isolated populations.

Can Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos jump?

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroos are capable jumpers, able to leap distances of up to 9 metres between trees and drop up to 18 metres to the forest floor without injury. They can climb heights equivalent to a 10-storey building, using their powerful hind legs and long tails for balance during aerial manoeuvres. Their jumping ability allows them to navigate between the treetops without descending to the dangerous ground level where predators pose greater threats. Their remarkable leaping capacity is essential for accessing food sources and escaping danger in their three-dimensional forest environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WAiBl_b2cE

Further Information

Eldridge, M. D. B., Potter, S., Helgen, K. M., Sinaga, M. H., Aplin, K. P., Flannery, T. F., & Johnson, R. N. (2018). Phylogenetic analysis of the tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagus) reveals multiple divergent lineages within New Guinea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 127, 589-599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.05.030

Flannery, T. F. (1993). Taxonomy of Dendrolagus goodfellowi with description of a new subspecies. Records of the Australian Museum, 45(1), 33-42.

Leary, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Helgen, K., Singadan, R., Aplin, K., … & Seri, L. (2016). Dendrolagus pulcherrimus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T136696A21957219.

Porolak, G., Dabek, L., & Krockenberger, A. K. (2014). Ranging behaviour of tree kangaroos in upper montane forest. PLoS ONE, 9(4), e91870.

Leary, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Helgen, K., Singadan, R., Aplin, K., Dickman, C., Salas, L., Flannery, T., Martin, R. & Seri, L. 2016. Dendrolagus pulcherrimus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T136696A21957219. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136696A21957219.en. Downloaded on 26 January 2021.

You can support the conservation of this animal:

Tenkile Conservation Alliance

Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus pulcherrimus

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• WordPress
• YouTube
• Mail
• Mastodon

Enter your email address

Sign Up

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #deforestation #Dendrolagus #extinction #ForgottenAnimals #GoldenMantledTreeKangarooDendrolagusPulcherrimus #hunting #Indonesia #Kangaroos #Macropod #Mammal #mammals #Marsupial #marsupials #palmoil #PapuaNewGuinea #PapuaNewGuineaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuinea #TreeKangaroo #treekangaroos #vegan #WestPapua #WestPapua