World Applauds PNG’S Only Tree Kangaroo Rescue Center At Nature Park

 

  Insert is Dr. Lisa Dabek, a world-renowned Authority on Tree Kangaroo Conservation and Senior Conservationist at Seatle Woodland Park Zoo, USA

Port Moresby Nature Park has once again made Papua New Guinea proud—this time receiving global recognition for its dedicated work in protecting one of the nation’s most iconic and endangered animals, the tree kangaroo.

The award was presented by Dr. Lisa Dabek, a world-renowned authority on tree kangaroo conservation and Senior Conservationist at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo, during the celebration of World Tree Kangaroo Day on May 21, 2025. The news was first shared by Post-Courier journalist Gregory Wesley.

“I am so proud that with your staff here at the Port Moresby Nature Park, you have done so well,” said Dr. Dabek. She emphasized that zoos across the United States involved in the Tree Kangaroo SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program are honored to be associated with the Nature Park.

What sets Port Moresby Nature Park apart, Dr. Dabek explained, is its establishment of the world’s first stand-alone Tree Kangaroo Rescue Center. “There is nothing anywhere else like that in the world,” she noted, highlighting the park’s unique and vital role in global conservation efforts.

The recognition also reflects decades of commitment, with Dr. Dabek founding the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) in PNG’s Huon Peninsula back in 1996 as part of her graduate research on the endangered Matschie’s Tree Kangaroo.

Joining the celebrations was NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop, who praised the Nature Park’s leadership in conservation. “In a country where many local and community organizations do extraordinary work with minimal funding and recognition, the Nature Park has shown what is possible when conservation is paired with communication, professional lobbying, and international partnerships,” he remarked.

Over the years, the Park has successfully bred three of the twelve known species of tree kangaroo found in New Guinea—two of which are part of global breeding programs. These achievements reinforce Port Moresby Nature Park’s standing as both a regional and international leader in wildlife conservation.

As Gregory Wesley highlighted in his Post-Courier coverage, this milestone is more than just a local success—it is a beacon of what can be achieved when science, community, and global cooperation come together for the animals’ sake.