Biodiversity in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea has extremely high biodiversity. The total number of different plants and animals in Papua New Guinea is not accurately known but almost certainly exceeds 200,000 species.

Scientists estimate that more than half the plants and animals found in Papua New Guinea have yet to be scientifically named.

PNG’s forests provide habitat for around 250 species of mammals, 20,000 species of plants, 1,500 species of trees and 750 species of birds, half of which are unique to the island. The world’s largest butterfly (10.4-inch wingspan) and the world’s largest mangrove expanses can be found in PNG.

Saving Papua New Guinea’s rainforest will protect its biodiversity for many generations to come.

Roll over the images below to find out more about the endangered animals that call Papua New Guinea home.