Habitat:
Humid montane rainforests

Activity period :
Mainly active at night, generally discreet during the day.

Identification and description:
Matschie’s tree kangaroo is a medium-sized marsupial, 60–80 cm long (excluding tail), with reddish-brown fur and a long prehensile tail. Endemic to humid montane rainforests of the Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea (1000–3000 m), it spends most of its time in the canopy feeding on fruits, leaves, and insects. Solitary and elusive, it moves nimbly among branches thanks to strong limbs and a long tail.

Recommended lens:
300 mm – adjust based on distance, desired framing (portrait or habitat), and approach conditions.

Photography tips:
Photograph Matschie’s tree kangaroo at dawn or late afternoon using a telephoto lens of ≥300 mm from a concealed hide in the canopy or on a rocky outcrop. Use fast shutter speeds to freeze its agile movements among the branches, a shallow depth of field to isolate its reddish fur against the foliage, and maintain at least 10 m distance to minimize stress.