The tree kangaroo is a large, heavy-bodied marsupial with powerful limbs, a long cylindrical tail equal to length of its head and body, and short rounded ears. It has short soft fur, gray on the back, and lighter on the belly, with a black snout, toes, and tail tip. Its average head and body length is 26", and maximum weight is about 23 lbs.
The Goodfellow’s Tree-Kangaroo is mostly brown in colour with golden yellow limbs, a long mottled golden yellow and brown non-prehensile tail and two golden yellow dorsal stripes. It is only found in the central Cordillera.
Goodfellow’s Tree-Kangaroos are primarily browsing herbivores, but can be considered omnivores, occasionally consuming small birds and eggs. The three subspecies of Goodfellow’s Tree-kangaroos are all considered endangered.
In New Guinea there have been widespread declines of most species of tree kangaroos mainly due to habitat loss and over harvesting for food (bush meat).
It is understood that tree-kangaroos evolved from creatures similar to modern kangaroos and wallabies, as they retain many standard macropod adaptations to life in the plains—notably the massive hind legs and long, narrow feet which allow orthodox macropods to travel fast and economically on the ground. Tree-kangaroos have developed exceptionally long tails for balance, and stronger forelimbs for climbing. The feet are shorter and wider, they have longer claws on all feet, and rubbery soles for better grip.
The ancestors of all kangaroos are believed to have been small arboreal marsupials that looked like some of Australia's present-day possums. The earliest macropods diverged from this line when they descended to the ground and evolved bodies adapted for rapid motion over the earth and rocks. Why the ancestors of the tree-kangaroos returned to the trees is not known.
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An adult leopard which fell into a well at Ambalakunnu village near Meppadi in Wayanad district in the early hours of Monday was rescued by officials of the Forests and Wildlife department. The animal was later released into the Muthanga forests.
The 10-year-old feline reportedly fell into the well on the premises of the residence of M. Abdurehiman at around 2 a.m. while chasing a dog. The family members rescued the canine after hearing its cries. An hour later, they were alerted by the growl of a wild animal and found the leopard in the well.
The Meppadi police and the wildlife department were informed.
The Fire and Rescue Services also reached the spot. After a tedious rescue operation lasting over 12 hours, the leopard was taken out the well. Arun Zakaria, veterinary surgeon attached to the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, administered the tranquiliser. The leopard was found to be in a healthy state. There were no injuries. The wild cat was taken in a cage and released into the forest at around 5.30 p.m., he said.
Meppadi Range Officer N. Rajesh said the habitat at Ambalakunnu and surrounding places was conducive for wild animals to stray into the residential areas and attack domestic animals. However, it was for the first time that a leopard had fallen into a well in the area, he said. Local people said the forest authorities had been alerted about wild animals, particularly leopards, moving into the neighbourhood and attacking domestic animals. Several goats and dogs had been killed in the last few months, they said.
A large number of people including a few tourists had gathered in the area to witness the rescue operation.
Story by http://www.hindu.com
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