Rare Tree Kangaroo Seen On Skyrail
23rd April 2003

Skyrail’s visitors were treated to an extra special sight last week when a young cassowary and a rare Lumholtz tree kangaroo were spotted at Skyrail’s Barron Falls Station.

The Lumholtz, a rare tree climbing kangaroo native to Australia’s World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforests, was sitting in a Black Wattle tree at Skyrail’s Barron Falls mid-station with a young cassowary seen in the nearby forest.

The Lumholtz is a nocturnal animal so it was unusual for it to be out and about in the middle of the day, but Skyrail Ranger Robert Sharp said the tree kangaroo was quite relaxed and appeared to be enjoying the view.

"The Lumholtz was sitting in the tree for about an hour and a half before it backed down, jumped off and headed into the forest," Mr Sharp said. "It was quite amazing really, we had a cassowary foraging in the nearby forest and quite a few Ulysses butterflies in the area; it was a beautiful moment in the rainforest."

The Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo is primarily a leaf eater and an efficient climber. Unique to the rainforest regions in Far North Queensland, the Lumholtz are classified as being rare and are the only kangaroos with independent hind leg movement.

Other animals seen by Skyrail’s Rangers and guests recently include Musky Rat Kangaroos, Golden Orb Spiders and a variety of tree pythons.

Image courtesy of Wet Tropics Management Authority.