Indonesia is set to liberate 17 endangered pygmy kangaroos to the Papuan rain forest after rescuing them from illegal traders and private zoos. However, the number of these rare mammals in the world is unknown.
The animals were born to six males and females and later reared and taken care of by the Cikananga Animal Rescue Center in West Java. They have been trained in such a way that now they can survive in their natural habitat, where they will face predators such as giant pythons and local poachers who eat their meat or sell their hides.
The species has been declared vulnerable and endangered by the World Conservation Union, meaning they face a high risk of extinction.
Though not much is known about the Indonesian kangaroos, called as dusky pademelons, or Thylogale brunii in Indonesia. The animal belongs to a family of seven kangaroo-like mammals and is generally found in forests in the southeastern coast of Papua, split between Indonesia’s West Papua and Papua New Guinea.
The illegal trade in such a rare and exotic species is rampant in Papua and other areas of Indonesia, due largely to poor law enforcement.
Indonesia has for long been known for rapid deforestation, which is a big threat to species such as the Sumatran tiger, elephant, rhino and orangutan.
Such a rare species needs to be reared and conserved.
Image Credit
Via: La Crosse Tribune