The Tenkile Conservation Alliance protects the tree kangaroos of the Torricelli Mountain Range — and the people who own and live in it — by making conservation and community development one and the same.
TCA was established in 2001 by a network of zoos, the PNG National Museum, local government and individuals, all set on recovering the critically endangered Scott's Tree Kangaroo — known locally as the Tenkile. A hunting moratorium began with 13 villages in 1999, grew to 20 Tenkile villages, and was joined by 30 more villages with the Weimang, forming an alliance of 50 villages and over 12,000 people.
To protect the tree kangaroos, TCA had to work closely with the communities who hunted them for food. Alternative protein — rabbit, chicken and fish farming — gave families another way to eat. From 2004, TCA delivered water, sanitation, hygiene and health projects across all 50 villages, embedding training so communities own the work for the long term.
The Torricelli Range is one of the only places on Earth home to three species of tree kangaroo, alongside endemic species like the Black-spotted Cuscus and the Northern Glider. TCA uses the tree kangaroos as flagship species to protect the entire range — with the goal of a legally gazetted Conservation Area that rules out logging and mining for good.
To save lives in PNG — the lives of people, animals, and their places.
Provide urgent and necessary services to rainforest communities that relieve poverty and improve health.
Help communities govern, manage and protect their biological and cultural richness from exploitation.
Ensure rainforest communities keep their freedom of choice as they advance into the 21st century.
01Hunting moratoriums have lifted the critically endangered Tenkile from around 100 animals to over 300.
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02Traditional “no-go” zones protect all wildlife and revive species once thought locally extinct.
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03Securing legal protection so no large-scale logging or mining can happen without the people’s consent.
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04Supporting 50 villages and 13,000+ landowners with health, education and livelihood projects.
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05Reconnecting people to traditions that already align with caring for the land.
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06Protecting the world’s third-largest rainforest — climate action with global reach.
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07Sustaining Base-Lumi and the local staff who keep all of this work running.
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Zoologist and conservationist; TCA's Director since 2003. He has secured over US$4 million in funding, was awarded the PNG Logohu Medal in 2019, and named Australian Geographic Conservationist of the Year in 2013 with Jean. Fluent in Tok Pisin.
Built TCA's training and capacity programs — drama, teacher training, health and livestock — across 50 villages. Winner of the Future for Nature Award (2010) and a Telstra Business Women's Award (2015).
Leads on-the-ground operations in PNG. His networking and liaising have built strong working relationships across villages, staff and every level of government.
Most staff are employed casually as grant funds allow. Beyond the core team, TCA engages around 100 rangers and 100 village community members in its work each year.
An executive and business leader with corporate governance qualifications and 20+ years across not-for-profit, commercial and government enterprises.
Community-oriented, with a background at the Brisbane PNG Consulate-General, strengthening ties between Australia and PNG.
A PNG citizen in Milne Bay for 30+ years; has worked with Conservation International and the PNG Government, and leads the Eco Custodians Advocates.
A conservationist with a background in law who spent 2023 with TCA; now supporting the work from the Island Conservation Society in Seychelles.
Sixteen elected members — a man and a woman from each of the stakeholder teams — represent the 50 villages at executive level. They meet the Board once a year to bring forward issues, ideas and innovations, giving stakeholders a direct line to governance.
Through 60 years of ground-breaking work, Dr. Goodall redefined species conservation to include the needs of local people and the environment. With institutes around the world and the Roots & Shoots programme in more than 65 countries, she is delighted to support TCA's ongoing work as Patron.
Author of The Future Eaters and The Weather Makers, Tim has published over 130 scientific papers and named 75 mammal species. Named Australian of the Year in 2007, he is a founding member of the Wentworth Group and Director of the Australian Climate Council.
Established TCA's research and education base at Lumi, West Sepik — our home and the hub of every activity, at the southern foothills of the Torricelli Range.
Delivered rabbit and chicken farming to 23 villages. Rabbits still thrive at Wigote village nearly 20 years on.
Installed 350 water tanks across 50 villages and one toilet per household — 2,690 in all — a first for the country, with the European Union and WaterAid.
Built 50 fish ponds and roofed 800 homes, supported by the Global Environment Facility, UNDP and CEPA.
Delivered 8,005 solar household lighting units to 143 villages and 350 solar street lights to 43 villages, through Australia's DFAT under the Pawarim Komuniti grant.
Every contribution supports TCA's vision — that the people of PNG value and protect their natural resources, their community, and their culture.