Woodlark Cuscus Phalanger lullulae
Endangered
Location: Papua New Guinea
The Woodlark Cuscus is a nocturnal species found in both primary and secondary tropical moist forest. Animals shelter under epiphytes and in tree hollows during the day (Flannery 1995). Secondary regrowth provide the species with what locals say is their favourite food – nectar from a vine and a tree Rhus taitensis that quickly grows up in old gardens (F. Damon pers. comm.). Females give birth to a single young.
The Woodlark Cuscus’ are endangered in #PapuaNewGuinea and live on remote Woodlark island, slated for destruction by a huge #palmoil plantation. Protect these beautiful rare creatures and their home Join the #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket
Tweet
The major threat to the Woodlark Cuscus, and indeed the current way of life for humans on the island, is a proposal by a Malaysian timber company to log almost half of the rainforest on the island. In addition a goldmine is planned for the island, and this has the potential to degrade habitat for the species. The Woodlark Cuscus is occasionally hunted for food by local people, but they are not a preferred food item (unlike pigs and fish), and hunting appears to have little impact on population abundance. Listed as Endangered because they live in an area less than 1,300 km², all individuals are known from two (possibly 3) locations, and there is an imminent risk (=projected decline) to their remaining habitat due to plans for logging and mine development on Woodlark Island.
The major threat to the Woodlark Cuscus, and indeed the current way of life for humans on the island, is a proposal by a Malaysian timber company to log almost half of the rainforest on the island.
IUCN Red List
Further Information
Leary, T., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Helgen, K., Wright, D., Allison, A. & Hamilton, S. 2016. Phalanger lullulae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T16846A21951419. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16846A21951419.en. Downloaded on 31 January 2021.

You can support this beautiful animal
There are no known conservation activities for this animal. Make art to raise awareness and join the #Boycott4Wildlife.

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Contribute 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.
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.
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.
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