Tonda National Park

Tonda Overview

Tonda National Park, located in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea, is a vast protected area covering approximately 1,590 square miles (4,120 square kilometers).

As the country’s largest national park, it is part of the Trans-Fly savanna and grasslands ecoregion, a distinctive lowland area that extends into neighboring Indonesia. This remote and ecologically significant park is characterized by a diverse range of landscapes, including seasonally flooded grasslands, swamps, mangroves, and monsoon forests.

The region’s terrain is predominantly flat, with numerous lagoons, rivers, and wetlands that contribute to its status as an internationally recognized Ramsar wetland site. The Fly River and its tributaries influence much of the park’s hydrology, creating a dynamic ecosystem that supports an incredible array of plant and animal species.

The park is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, making it one of the most important conservation areas in Papua New Guinea. Its wetlands and savannas support significant populations of large mammals, including wallabies, bandicoots, and marsupial carnivores such as the spotted cuscus.

The park is particularly famous for its rich birdlife, with over 250 bird species recorded. Among the most striking are the southern cassowary, the white-bellied sea eagle, and various species of cockatoos, lorikeets, and parrots.

Migratory birds from as far as Australia and Asia also frequent the wetlands, making it a crucial breeding and feeding ground. The park’s extensive waterways and floodplains provide an ideal habitat for saltwater crocodiles, which can often be seen basking along the riverbanks. Other reptiles, including pythons, monitor lizards, and freshwater turtles, contribute to the park’s rich biodiversity.

One of the most unique aspects of Tonda National Park is its cultural significance to the indigenous communities that have lived in the region for centuries. The park’s wetlands and forests have traditionally provided food, medicine, and materials for local subsistence.

Visitors to the park can engage with the indigenous communities and learn about their traditional ways of life, including fishing, hunting, and the use of natural resources in sustainable ways. The park’s remote location means that tourism remains relatively low-impact, preserving the pristine nature of its landscapes and ecosystems.

However, for those willing to make the journey, guided wildlife excursions, birdwatching tours, and boat trips through the wetland areas offer some of the most immersive experiences. The vast, open landscapes also make Tonda an exceptional location for nature photography, particularly during the wet season when migratory birds arrive in large numbers.

Despite its protected status, Tonda National Park faces several conservation challenges. Climate change, habitat degradation, and illegal hunting pose threats to the park’s delicate ecosystems. Rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns affect wetland habitats, potentially altering the migration patterns of birds and other species that rely on the park’s seasonal cycles.

However, conservation efforts, including international collaboration and community-led initiatives, have played a role in maintaining the park’s ecological integrity. Sustainable management practices, supported by local and international organizations, aim to balance conservation with the needs of indigenous communities. By preserving the park’s vast wetlands, savannas, and forests, Tonda remains an essential refuge for biodiversity in Papua New Guinea.

Park Map

Tonda National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Tonda is also renowned for its rich avian diversity, supporting over 250 species of resident and migratory waterbirds. The area’s wetlands, grasslands, and forests provide critical habitats for these bird species.

Little Curlew
A migratory shorebird, the little curlew stages on Tonda’s plains during migration. It is recognized by its slender, down-curved bill and feeds on insects and small invertebrates in grasslands.

Brolga
The brolga is a large, gray crane with a distinctive red head. In Tonda, it inhabits wetlands and grasslands, feeding on tubers, insects, and small vertebrates.

Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise
As Papua New Guinea’s national bird, the Raggiana bird-of-paradise is known for its vibrant plumage and elaborate courtship displays. It inhabits the monsoon forests of Tonda.

Greater Black Coucal
This large, black bird with a long tail is found in Tonda’s grasslands and wetlands. It feeds on insects, small mammals, and other birds.

Pied Heron
A small heron with distinctive black and white plumage, the pied heron frequents Tonda’s wetlands, feeding on fish, insects, and amphibians.

Magpie Goose
The magpie goose is a large waterbird with black and white plumage and a distinctive knob on its head. In Tonda, it is commonly found in wetlands, feeding on aquatic vegetation.

Comb-crested Jacana
Known for its elongated toes, the comb-crested jacana can walk on floating vegetation in Tonda’s wetlands. It feeds on insects and seeds.

Australian Pratincole
This slender, long-legged bird inhabits Tonda’s open grasslands. It is recognized by its upright posture and swift flight, feeding on insects.

Whistling Kite
A medium-sized raptor with a distinctive whistling call, the whistling kite is commonly seen soaring over Tonda’s landscapes, hunting for small mammals, birds, and carrion.

Tonda’s diverse habitats and its status as a protected area make it a vital refuge for these and many other species, highlighting its importance for conservation in Papua New Guinea.

Tonda Wildlife Management Area, located in the southwestern corner of Papua New Guinea’s Western Province, is the country’s largest protected area. This diverse landscape encompasses tidal rivers, mangroves, swamps, grasslands, savanna woodlands, and patches of monsoon forest, providing habitats for a wide array of wildlife.

Spectacled Hare-Wallaby
A nocturnal marsupial, the spectacled hare-wallaby is distinguished by the light-colored rings around its eyes, giving it a “spectacled” appearance. It inhabits the grasslands and open woodlands of Tonda, feeding primarily on grasses and herbs.

Bronze Quoll
The bronze quoll is a carnivorous marsupial native to the Trans-Fly savanna and grasslands of Papua New Guinea. As one of the region’s top predators, it plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.

Chestnut Dunnart
This small, nocturnal marsupial is characterized by its chestnut-colored fur. The chestnut dunnart is insectivorous and resides in the savanna woodlands and grasslands of Tonda.

False Water Rat
Also known as the water mouse, this semi-aquatic rodent is found in mangrove areas and swamps within Tonda. It feeds on aquatic invertebrates and small fish, constructing nests in muddy banks.

New Guinea Crocodile
Inhabiting the freshwater swamps and rivers of Tonda, the New Guinea crocodile is a significant reptilian predator. It is primarily nocturnal, feeding on fish, birds, and small mammals.

Saltwater Crocodile
The saltwater crocodile, the world’s largest living reptile, is found in Tonda’s tidal rivers and coastal areas. It is an apex predator, preying on a variety of animals, including fish, birds, and mammals.

Rusa Deer
Introduced to the region, the rusa deer has adapted to Tonda’s grasslands and open forests. It is primarily a grazer, feeding on grasses and leaves.

Dugong
The dugong, a marine mammal related to the manatee, is found in the coastal waters adjacent to Tonda. It feeds on seagrass meadows and is culturally significant to local communities.

Spectacled Flying Fox
This large fruit bat, named for the light-colored fur around its eyes, roosts in Tonda’s forests. It plays a vital role in seed dispersal and pollination within the ecosystem.

Northern Glider
A nocturnal marsupial, the northern glider is known for its ability to glide between trees using the membrane between its limbs. It inhabits the monsoon forests of Tonda, feeding on nectar, pollen, and insects.