Papua New Guinea is a country in eastern New Guinea, the second largest island on Earth. The western part of New Guinea is part of Indonesia.
A map (left) showing the Torricelli Mountains in northern Papua New Guinea with intact forest landscapes from Global Forest Watch. The LIFE score analysis (right) reveals which species would be most at risk of extinction if the forests of the Torricellis were cut down for agriculture. Note that the analysis relies on species distribution from IUCN data, which may not always be accurate and/or current for every species listed. Image by Andrés Alegría.
The Torricelli Mountain range is a small group of mountains in northern Papua New Guinea (see map above). This mountain range is special because it has many unique species of plants and animals. These mountains are home to half of the birds and mammals in Papua New Guinea. Also, many species of reptiles and amphibians live there.
The Torricelli Mountains cover only 0.003% of the world’s land area, but this tiny area could possibly hold up to 4% of the species known on Earth.
These mountains are the only place where three species of tree kangaroos live together. Two of the three species of tree kangaroo, the tenkile and the weimang, are highly endangered. Conservationists are trying to protect them in the Torricelli Mountains.
There are 100 species of frogs known in the Torricelli Mountains. There are likely many more species of plants and animals that have not been described yet in these mountains.
Conservationists hope that the government of Papua New Guinea will protect the Torricelli Mountains. Logging and hunting are possible threats to the mountain forests and the unique species that live there.
David Brown adapted this story for Mongabay Kids. It is based on an article by John Cannon, published on Mongabay News. Read more:
