Global Wildlife Fund to help protect marsupials re-discovered after 6,000 years
Details of the rediscovery, led by Professor Tim Flannery working with Papuan researchers and local Elders, were published today (6 March 2026) in the Records of the Australian Museum journal.
- The Ring-tailed Glider (Tous ayamaruensis) is the nearest living relative of the endangered Australian Greater Glider species and represents the first new genus of New Guinean marsupial described since 1937.
- The Pygmy Long-fingered Possum (Dactylonax kambuayai) is a small, striped marsupial with a remarkable adaptation — one digit on each hand is twice the length of the next longest finger (enabling it to feed like the Aye-aye of Madagascar).
As noted in the Australian Museum release, the Vogelkop is an ancient piece of the Australian continent that has become incorporated into the island of New Guinea, meaning its forests may shelter more hidden relics of a past Australia.
Sadly, these forests are under severe threat from commercial logging and conversion to oil palm plantations.
Professor Tim Flannery is leading the Global Wildlife Fund project alongside professional advisors in Papua, local Papuan communities, and Papuan institutions (University of Papua, Catholic Church).
Australians can help protect both species by making a tax deductible gift to Global Wildlife Fund to support the conservation of Papua’s forests.
