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Telefomin Cuscus Phalanger matanim

Critically Endangered

Locations: Papua New Guinea

The Telefomin Cuscus is a critically endangered marsupial, found exclusively in the montane forests of Papua New Guinea’s Nong River Valley. Known to the indigenous Telefol people for several millennia, this species was formally described by scientists in 1985.
The Telefomin Cuscus faces an uncertain future due to habitat destruction for palm oil and gold mining in Papua, along with climate change. Some experts fear they may already be extinct. Fight for their survival each time you shop by boycotting products linked to deforestation and supporting the #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife movement.

Experts fear these precious animals may already be extinct, less than 50 remain alive due to #goldmining and #palmoil. Help protect the enchanting Telefomin #Cuscus from disappearing forever when u #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-nv

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Fuzzy haired, gentle-natured Telefomin Cuscus are one of the rarest #possums alive. Just a few dozen remain in #PapuaNewGuinea’s Nong River Valley. Fight for them and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-nv

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Appearance and Behaviour

The Telefomin Cuscus is a medium-sized, nocturnal marsupial with dense, woolly fur that provides insulation in its cool, high-altitude habitat. Their fur is grey to brown, helping them blend into the forest canopy. They are arboreal, relying on strong limbs and a prehensile tail to navigate the treetops.

Known for their elusive nature, these cuscuses are primarily solitary and spend much of their time hiding in dense vegetation. As nocturnal animals, they forage at night, avoiding potential predators.

Geographic Range

The Telefomin Cuscus is known to inhabit the areas of Telefomin and Tifalmin in Papua New Guinea. They may also exist further northeast or west of these collection areas.

The only confirmed location of their range was largely destroyed by a fire in 1998, caused by a drought during an El Niño event. This catastrophic habitat loss has contributed significantly to their critical conservation status.

Diet

More research is needed on this animal to confirm their dietary needs. The Telefomin Cuscus likely feeds on leaves, fruits, and flowers, making them important contributors to seed dispersal within their montane forest ecosystem. Their diet reflects their arboreal nature, relying on the rich vegetation of the canopy.

Reproduction and Mating

There is little information about the reproductive habits of the Telefomin Cuscus. Like other marsupials, females likely give birth to underdeveloped young, which complete their development in the mother’s pouch. Research is urgently needed to understand their breeding patterns and population dynamics.

Threats

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct)

Deforestation for palm oil and gold mining: Gold mining and palm oil deforestation are ongoing threats to their survival.

Climate Change: Severe and unprecedented weather patterns pose ongoing threats to their montane forest habitat. The habitat of this species was completely destroyed by fire in the 1998 El Niño event.

Extremely Limited Range: With a habitat restricted to one small area, they are highly vulnerable to localised threats.

Human encroachment and hunting: This species is threatened by local hunting for food and loss of suitable habitat through human encroachment.

Conservation Status

The Telefomin Cuscus is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Despite recent efforts, no confirmed sightings have occurred in decades, raising fears of extinction. Conservation measures should focus on habitat restoration and climate resilience to preserve this species.

Take Action!

Protect the Telefomin Cuscus by boycotting products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil. Use your wallet as a weapon to support eco-friendly choices and conservation efforts. Join the #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife movements to fight for their survival.

This species is threatened by local hunting for food and loss of suitable habitat through human encroachment.
IUCN Red List

Further Information

Leary, T., Seri, L., Flannery, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Helgen, K., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Allison, A., James, R., Salas, L. & Dickman, C. 2016. Phalanger matanim. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T16851A21950802. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16851A21950802.en. Downloaded on 26 January 2021.

Recently Extinct Species. (n.d.). Phalanger matanim. Retrieved from Recently Extinct Species.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Telefomin Cuscus. Retrieved from Wikipedia.

Telefomin Cuscus Phalanger matanim

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Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni

Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni

IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered

Location: Indonesia – Biak Island, Supiori Island, Numfor Island (Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesian-occupied West Papua)

The blue-eyed spotted #cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni, also known as the Biak spotted cuscus lives in the lowland tropical rainforests on remote and rugged islands in Cenderawasih Bay: Biak Island, Supiori Island, Numfor Island (Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesian-occupied #WestPapua). These sweet-natured icy-blue eyed #marsupials are Critically Endangered due to a range of threats. They face ongoing population collapse, driven by #palmoil and #timber #deforestation, #hunting, and capture for the illegal exotic #pettrade. Most sightings today are of captive individuals, with wild populations potentially already extirpated from much of their historic range. Time is rapidly running out to save these the last remaining Spilocuscus wilsoni individuals. Use your wallet as a weapon in the supermarket and always choose products that are 100% #palmoilfree.#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife and adopt a #Vegan lifestyle.

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With icy-blue eyes, fluffy fur and gentle demeanour, Blue-eyed Spotted #Cuscus are treasures of #WestPapua now critically #endangered due to #palmoil #deforestation and rampant hunting. Help them survive when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸❌#Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/26/blue-eyed-spotted-cuscus-spilocuscus-wilsoni/

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Living on Biak and Supiori islands #WestPapua, Blue-Eyed Spotted #cuscus are critically endangered😿 The islands are being destroyed for #palmoil and other #agriculture. Take action for #marsupials when you shop #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🚜💀🔥⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/26/blue-eyed-spotted-cuscus-spilocuscus-wilsoni/

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Appearance and Behaviour

The blue-eyed spotted cuscus is a mesmerising animal, distinguished by its striking pale blue eyes—an extremely rare trait among marsupials. They have a marbled coat patterned in shades of brown, grey, white, and cream, which varies by age and sex. Males typically exhibit more prominent blotches and spots, while juvenile females may appear spotless and pale yellow or creamy. This species lives high in the rainforest canopy, moving slowly and cautiously among the branches. As a member of the genus Spilocuscus, they are shy, solitary, and largely nocturnal, relying on camouflage and stillness to evade predators.

Diet

Like other spotted cuscus species, the blue-eyed spotted cuscus feeds on a variety of plant matter. Their diet includes leaves, fruits, flowers, and possibly bark. Foraging mostly takes place at night, using their strong limbs and prehensile tail to navigate the treetops in search of food.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the breeding behaviour of the blue-eyed spotted cuscus due to their rarity in the wild. As marsupials, females likely give birth to underdeveloped young that complete their development in a pouch. It is presumed that, like related species, they raise one to two offspring at a time, and may breed seasonally depending on food availability.

Geographic Range

This cuscus species is endemic to the islands of Biak and Supiori in Cenderawasih Bay, with a few individuals reported from Numfor Island, where they may have been introduced as pets. Once more widespread, they are now rarely encountered outside of captivity. The rugged terrain of Supiori has helped protect some of their habitat, but populations on Biak have been decimated by deforestation and human encroachment.

Threats

The Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus is listed as Critically Endangered because of a continuing drastic population decline, inferred to be more than 80% from the rate and extent of habitat loss in the last 10 years due to massive deforestation on Biak-Supiori and from levels of exploitation. This species is threatened by rapid, ongoing deforestation of suitable habitat, and by hunting for food and collection as a pets by local people.

Deforestation: Rapid loss of lowland tropical rainforest on Biak and Supiori for palm oil agriculture and development
Palm oil expansion: Destruction of forest for palm oil plantations threatens remaining habitat
Hunting: Locals hunt cuscuses for meat
Illegal pet trade: Capturing and selling them as exotic pets is a major threat
Lack of enforcement: No targeted conservation programs exist for this species

Take Action!

The blue-eyed spotted cuscus could vanish forever without intervention. Support indigenous-led conservation in West Papua and pressure companies and governments to stop fuelling habitat destruction. Always choose palm oil-free products, and never support the exotic pet trade. Speak up, share their story, and push for their protection. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many blue-eyed spotted cuscuses are left?

There are no exact population estimates, but the IUCN (2021) infers a population decline of over 80% in the last decade, with wild individuals now rarely seen. Most sightings are of pets or museum specimens, and recent field surveys have failed to find any wild individuals on Biak (IUCN, 2021).

How long do blue-eyed spotted cuscuses live?

Lifespan data for this species is lacking. However, similar species of cuscus in captivity can live 10–15 years, though wild lifespans are likely shorter due to threats from hunting and habitat loss.

Are blue-eyed spotted cuscuses endangered because of palm oil?

Yes. Palm oil deforestation is a major driver of habitat loss in their range. The rapid clearing of lowland rainforest on Biak and Supiori has destroyed much of their habitat. This, combined with hunting and the pet trade, has pushed them to the brink (IUCN, 2021).

Do blue-eyed spotted cuscuses make good pets?

No. Keeping blue-eyed spotted cuscuses as pets is cruel and contributes directly to their extinction. These gentle, tree-dwelling marsupials belong in the rainforest. Many animals in the pet trade are stolen from the wild, causing immense suffering and breaking apart family groups. If you truly care about them, never support the exotic pet trade and advocate against it.

What are the conservation challenges for this species?

The blue-eyed spotted cuscus suffers from neglect in conservation priorities. There are no species-specific conservation efforts, and only a small portion of its range is protected. Further studies into their distribution and natural history are urgently needed to inform protection strategies (Yohanita et al., 2023).

Further Information

Aplin, K. & Helgen, K. 2016. Spilocuscus wilsoni. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T136443A21950078. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136443A21950078.en. Downloaded on 26 January 2021.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Blue-eyed spotted cuscus. Wikipedia. Retrieved 18 April 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-eyed_spotted_cuscus

Yohanita, A. M., Widayati, K. A., Atmowidi, T., Imai, H., & Suryobroto, B. (2023). New localities and sexual dichromatism in Blue-green eyed Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni from Biak Island, Indonesia. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 15(9), 23836–23842. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8179.15.9.23836-23842

Blue-eyed Spotted Cuscus Spilocuscus wilsoni

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

✓ Subscribed

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

#Agriculture #BlueEyedSpottedCuscusSpilocuscusWilsoni #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #cuscus #cuscuses #deforestation #endangered #ForgottenAnimals #hunting #Indonesia #Mammal #Marsupial #marsupials #palmoil #palmoilfree #PapuaNewGuineaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #pettrade #possum #possums #timber #vegan #WestPapua