PM praises Flannery for PNG exploits

PAPUA New Guinea this week joined the international community in congratulating the Australian of the Year, Prof Timothy Flannery.
Prof Flannery (right), who is an acclaimed environmental scientist, explorer, conservationist and author, took Australia’s top honour among a strong line-up of state finalists at the Australian Day award ceremony last Friday.
In his message, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said while Prof Flannery was now an internationally acclaimed scientist and climate expert, the people of Papua New Guinea are indebted to him for the many years of research and field work he had put into recording the mammals of PNG.
Prof Flannery’s fieldwork as a zoologist since 1981 in some of the most remote parts of PNG, had resulted in the discovery and naming of 30 new species of mammals, including two new tree kangaroos.
His pioneering work in New Guinea prompted Sir David Attenborough to put him in the league of the world’s great explorers.
Prof Flannery’s interest in the mammals of the region began while studying fossil from central Australia that showed similarities to living species from New Guinea.
The publications of his research findings over the years, has also made information available to scientists and the ordinary people who are interested in learning more about the mammals of this region of the world.
Sir Michael noted that Prof Flannery’s first book, Mammals of New Guinea, was dedicated to the people of Papua New Guinea.
in the hope that it will help the future generations understand and treasure our mammal fauna.
“I share this sentiment with you. While some of these species may be already lost, there is still time to create awareness for the existing species that remain in our forests” Sir Michael said.
 

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