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PNG Frequently
Asked Questions
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via Papua New Guinea
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via Papua New Guinea
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Please note -- Whilst all care has been taken in preparing and maintaining the FAQ's about Papua New Guinea it is not possible to be able verify every answer. The information is provided 'as is' and I can not accept responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from the use of this information.
Please verify the information for yourself from a government source, travel agent or other similar organisation.
This database does not contain information about other countries. It is only about Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Flora and Fauna List of Categories
Do you have a possible inclusion for this category of FAQ? If you do then please let me know
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- Are there any honeyeaters in PNG?
- What is the name of the Butcherbird found near Sudest Island?
- How does the Coffee Berry Borer do its damage?
- Why is the coffee berry borer difficult to control?
- What is the coffee berry borer?
- Can you give me a quick summary of the flora and fauna of PNG?
- Where can I find out information about buai / betel nut?
- What are the names of the Birds of Pardaise?
- What are the names of the birds known for their magnificant plumage in PNG?
- What do you know about the Bird of Paradise Plant? (strelitzia reginae)
- Where can I find out about wood products made from PNG rainforests?
- Are there any florists / flower shops in Port Moresby?
- Where can I find out information about the Vanimo Forest Products?
- What can you tell me about the Flora and Fauna of PNG?
- Where can I found information about orchids in PNG?
- How much rainforest does PNG have?
- Are there any rainforests in PNG?
- How many different types of rainforest does PNG have?
- Where can I find the largest zoological collection in PNG?
- Wher can I find a list of species held at the Rainforest Habitat in Lae?
- What is palm oil used for?
- Can you tell me about the history of Palm Oil?
- Does palm oil contain cholesterol?
- How many types of fern food are available in PNG?
- When common salt is not readily available in PNG what do people do?
- Is vanilla produced in PNG?
- How many different reptiles have been reported to be in PNG?
- How many reptiles can be found in PNG?
- How many different amphibian species are there in PNG?
- How much taro can be produced in a one hectare plot?
- Does PNG have any bats?
- Are there any kangaroos in PNG?
- What are some of the tree kangaroo species found in PNG?
- Who named the Goodfellow Tree Kangaroo -- Dendrolagus goodfellowi goodfellowi?
- How much tea did PNG produce in 2001?
- How much rubber did PNG produce in 2001?
- How much fruit and vegetables did PNG produce in 2002?
- How much fruit and vegetables are consumed in Port Moresby annually?
- How much fruit and vegetables are consumed in Lae annually?
- How much poultry did PNG produce in 2001?
- How many eggs are produced in PNG annually?
- How much pig meat (pork - ham - poro) did PNG produce in 2001?
- What is a Spanish Dancer?
- What is often referred to as the "butterflies of the sea"?
- Is the Klinki pine the tallest tree in P.N.G? Where abouts is it and how high is it?
- What is the scientific name for the "bubblegum tree" and does it have a commercial or other value? A friend of mine who lives on the black lakes near Ambunti has planted some many years ago and wants to know if they have a commercial value.
- Can you give me a list of endangered animal species in PNG?
- Are there any books or field guides on the birds of PNG?
What is the currency exchange rate to the $AU?
- Are their cows in PNG?
- How many species of mammals are there in PNG?
- I know that peanuts are grown in PNG but is there any processing of this product in the country?
- How many different bird species are there in PNG?
- How many bird species are there in PNG?
- How many birds of paradise can be found in PNG?
- What are the two species of bee-eaters found in PNG?
- What is the most frequently seen small falcons in PNG?
- How tall does the flightless Cassowary grow?
- I hear that there is an unusual bird that is poisonous - what is the name of this bird?
- How many bananas does PNG produce annually?
- How many native types of bananas are there in PNG?
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- Are there any honeyeaters in PNG?
Yes, one that springs to mind is the Tagula Honeyeater (Meliphaga vicina) - a species of bird in the Meliphagidae family. It is endemic to PNG
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- What is the name of the Butcherbird found near Sudest Island?
It is called the Tagula Butcherbird (Cracticus louisiadensis) and it is a species of bird in the Cracticidae family. It is endemic to PNG
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- How does the Coffee Berry Borer do its damage?
The Coffee Berry Borer cause damage by boring and depositing eggs into the berry. Larvae hatch and feed on the seed or bean, destroying it. Worldwide, the coffee berry borer causes an estimated $500 million in losses. The coffee industry has an economic value exceeding $70 billion annually, with over 20 million coffee-farming families producing coffee in more than 50 countries.
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- Why is the coffee berry borer difficult to control?
Living most of its life inside the coffee berry makes this pest difficult to control with traditional chemical and biological controls, so other methods must be devised.
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- What is the coffee berry borer?
The coffee berry borer, or CBB, has an interesting life cycle. The tiny (1.5-mm) bark beetle spends its entire larval life inside the coffee berry, which encases the seed, commonly known as the coffee bean. Males mate inside the berry with females, but never emerge. Only mated females emerge to fly to a new berry and bore into it to lay eggs and start the cycle anew. Only while outside the berry are the adult female borers vulnerable to predators or chemical controls.
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- Can you give me a quick summary of the flora and fauna of PNG?
PNG has about 200 species of mammals, 750 bird species (including 90 percent of the world's Birds of Paradise), 1500 tree species, 20,000 species of higher plants and is considered to be the richest island on the planet in terms of flora.
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- Where can I find out information about buai / betel nut?
For information about betel nut / buai pay a visit to -- http://www.nisbett.com/herbs/a/areca056.html or http://www.gnosticgarden.com/betel.htm and http://www.uicc.org/programmes/tobacco/fact_sheets/17fact.shtml
A parody of Waltzing Matilda called Kai Kai the Buai can be found at http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/WM/Kai.html
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- What are the names of the Birds of Pardaise?
umm, good question.
- Arfak Astrapia, Astrapia nigra
- Black Sicklebill, Epimachus fastuosus
- Black-billed Sicklebill, Epimachus albertisi
- Blue Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea rudolphi
- Brown Sicklebill, Epimachus meyeri
- Carola's Parotia, Parotia carolae
- Crested Bird-of-paradise, Cnemophilus macgregorii
- Crinkle-collared Manucode, Manucodia chalybata
- Curl-crested Manucode, Manucodia comrii
- Emperor Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea guilielmi
- Glossy-mantled Manucode, Manucodia atra
- Goldie's Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea decora
- Greater Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea apoda
- Greater Melampitta, Melampitta gigantea - tentatively included in this group
- Huon Astrapia, Astrapia rothschildi
- Jobi Manucode, Manucodia jobiensis
- King Bird-of-paradise, Cicinnurus regius
- King-of-Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Pteridophora alberti
- Lawes' Parotia, Parotia lawesii
- Lesser Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea minor
- Lesser Melampitta, Melampitta lugubris - tentatively included in this group
- Long-tailed Paradigalla, Paradigalla carunculata
- Loria's Bird-of-paradise, Cnemophilus loriae
- Macgregor's Bird-of-paradise, Macgregoria pulchra
- Magnificent Bird of Paradise, Cicinnurus magnificus
- Magnificent Riflebird, Ptiloris magnificus
- Pale-billed Sicklebill, Epimachus bruijnii
- Paradise Riflebird, Ptiloris paradiseus
- Paradise-crow, Lycocorax pyrrhopterus
- Princess Stephanie's Astrapia, Astrapia stephaniae
- Raggiana Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea raggiana
- Red Bird-of-paradise, Paradisaea rubra
- Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Astrapia mayeri
- Short-tailed Paradigalla, Paradigalla brevicauda
- Splendid Astrapia, Astrapia splendidissima
- Superb Bird-of-paradise, Lophorina superba
- Trumpet Manucode, Manucodia keraudrenii
- Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise, Seleucidis melanoleuca
- Victoria's Riflebird, Ptiloris victoriae
- Wahnes' Parotia, Parotia wahnesi
- Wallace's Standardwing, Semioptera wallacii
- Western Parotia, Parotia sefilata
- Wilson's Bird of Paradise, Cicinnurus respublica
- Yellow-breasted Bird-of-paradise, Loboparadisea sericea
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- What are the names of the birds known for their magnificant plumage in PNG?
The best known for their plumage are the species of the genus Paradisaea, including the type species, Paradisaea apoda, the Greater Bird of Paradise.
This species was described from specimens brought back to Europe from trading expeditions. These specimens had been prepared by native traders by removing their wings and feet, which led to the belief that the birds never landed but were kept permanently aloft by their plumes.
This gave both the name "birds of paradise" and the specific name apoda - without feet.
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- What do you know about the Bird of Paradise Plant? (strelitzia reginae)
Very little actually but if you pay a visit to a site maintained by Brian Smith you might be able to find out more. http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/bcd/brdhome.htm
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- Where can I find out about wood products made from PNG rainforests?
Try http://www.ecovitality.org/pngwood.htm
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- Are there any florists / flower shops in Port Moresby?
There are three (3) florists in town however I only have e-mail addresses for two.
Linden Blossom is the longest established florist in town and is owned by a Dutch couple who have been here over 30 years. Their e-address is lindenblossom@global.net.pg
The other one is called "The Flower Shop" an arm of the National Capital Botanical Gardens and their address is ncbg@orchidspng.com You should address your mail to Mary Ume who is the manageress of the shop.
The third outfit is an arm of the PNG Gardener company however I do not have an e- mail address for them.
I trust this information will assist you. If not, please let me know and I shall try to get more information for you.
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- Where can I find out information about the Vanimo Forest Products?
I recommend the following web site -- http://www.vanimoforestproducts.com.pg
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- What can you tell me about the Flora and Fauna of PNG?
There are close to 15,000 species of plants in Papua New Guinea, around 240 species of mammals including rats, bats, tree kangaroos and echidnas. There are also 760 species of birds including parrot, pigeon and kingfisher species.
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- Where can I found information about orchids in PNG?
Visit the site prepared by Wolfgang H. Bandisch at http://www.orchidspng.com
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- How much rainforest does PNG have?
Not sure. I have read that PNG has the world's third largest rainforest after Amazonia and the Congo.
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- Are there any rainforests in PNG?
Some people say that about seventy-five percent of PNG is covered by some of the most extensive, unspoilt rainforests in the world. Rainforests have greater plant variety than any other habitats, which in PNG include mangrove forests, swamps and lakes, flood plains, grasslands, savannahs, scrubland, woodlands and cultivated areas.
Sadly these forests are threatened with large scale industrial logging by the same companies that have decimated the forests of the Malaysia and Indonesia.
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- How many different types of rainforest does PNG have?
There are actually five types of rainforest: lowland alluvial and lowland hill; and then lower, middle or upper montane or highland rainforest. In the rainforest plants and animals are adapted to three strata: the forest floor, the understory and the canopy. The entire system depends on a lot of rainfall, and the humidity within it may reach the saturation point. Inside the canopy this moisture may be absorbed directly by tree bark or plant roots, or it may evaporate; the excess rains off and down into mountain gullies and creeks which eventually cascade over waterfalls and flow into lowland rivers to the sea. Just a look at the mighty Sepik River gives you an idea of how much water drains off the mountain rainforests in PNG.
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- Where can I find the largest zoological collection in PNG?
The Rainforest Habitat holds the largest zoological collection in PNG, and is committed to improving both zoo husbandry and exhibit standards in all animal-exhibiting facilities throughout the country. -- http://www.habitat.org.pg
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- Wher can I find a list of species held at the Rainforest Habitat in Lae?
http://www.habitat.org.pg/species.htm
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- What is palm oil used for?
Primarily soap but it is used as edible oil in some places. It is a rich source of beta-carotene. It can also be blended with other oils and made into margarine.
Palm oil is also used to make vanaspati, or vegetable ghee, which is a 100% vegetable fat used as a substitute for butter, fat in many countries.
The Oil palm originated in West Africa but has since been planted successfully in tropical regions within 20 degrees of the equator. The world's largest producer and exporter of palm oil today is Malaysia, producing about 50% of the world's supply of palm oil. Indonesia is the second largest world producer of palm oil producing approx 30% of world palm oil volume.
Did you know that palm oil is found in many food products - including chocolate, margarine, biscuits, chips and muesli.
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- Can you tell me about the history of Palm Oil?
Palm oil is a natural food that has been consumed for more than 5,000 years.
Palm oil is produced from the fruit of the oil palm, or Elaeis Guinnesis tree, which originated in West Guinea. While the tree was introduced into other parts of Africa, South East Asia and Latin America during the 15th century, it was first introduced as an ornamental plant in 1870.
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- Does palm oil contain cholesterol?
Palm oil, like other vegetable oils, is cholesterol free.
Like other common edible fats and oils; palm oil is easily digested, absorbed an utilized for the support of healthy growth and plays a critical role in providing nutrition worldwide.
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- How many types of fern food are available in PNG?
There are three types of fern food available in Papua New Guinea:- starches, greens, and additives.
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- When common salt is not readily available in PNG what do people do?
The people prepare salt from the residual ash of a species of Asplenium, A. acrobryum. The ash is sprinkled on the cooked food prior to eating. The composition of this salt has been analysed by the University of Papua New Guinea and was found to be higher in Potassium than common salt.
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- Is vanilla produced in PNG?
Vanilla production is in its infancy in PNG. Attempts are underway to grow both vanilla planifolia and vanilla tahitiensis species in PNG.
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- How many different reptiles have been reported to be in PNG?
There have been 305 species found of which 79 are endemic to PNG.
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- How many reptiles can be found in PNG?
There are about 200 different species of reptiles and 100 types of snakes.
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- How many different amphibian species are there in PNG?
241 species have been identified with 89 endemic to PNG.
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- How much taro can be produced in a one hectare plot?
The NT1, NT2 and NT3 varieties of taro have been claimed to be able to produce eight to nine tonnes per hectare by the National Agricultural Research Institute. (NARI)
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- Does PNG have any bats?
PNG has about 91 species of bats that live across the country from small coastal islands to the treeline of the highest mountains.
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- Are there any kangaroos in PNG?
PNG is home to seven species of tree kangaroo all of which remains obscure to science.
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- What are some of the tree kangaroo species found in PNG?
The Huon Tree kangaroo -- Dendorolagus matschiei, Dendorolagus spadix (Lowland Tree Kangaroo) and the Dendorolagus goodfellowi (Goodfellow Tree Kangaroo) are three of the seven species of tree kangaroo found in PNG.
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- Who named the Goodfellow Tree Kangaroo -- Dendrolagus goodfellowi goodfellowi?
MICHAEL OLDFIELD THOMAS named the Goodfellow Tree Kangaroo in honour of its discoverer, Walter Goodfellow Esq. It was the only tree-kangaroo Thomas ever described.
Goodfellow's Tree-kangaroo has a limited distribution in southeast New Guinea. Local hunters report that it is absent from the central mountains in the Kokoda area, but that it inhabits the outlying ranges. It is likewise absent from the higher part of the Wharton Range.
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- How much tea did PNG produce in 2001?
PNG produced about 8,000 tonnes of tea in 2001.
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- How much rubber did PNG produce in 2001?
PNG produces 3,600 - 4,000 tonnes of rubber per annum. It is hoped that this figure will reach 4,500 tonnes in 2002.
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- How much fruit and vegetables did PNG produce in 2002?
PNG produces approximately 60,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually.
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- How much fruit and vegetables are consumed in Port Moresby annually?
Port Moresby consumes approx 8,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually.
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- How much fruit and vegetables are consumed in Lae annually?
Lae consumes approx 2,500 tonnes of fruit and vegetables annually.
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- How much poultry did PNG produce in 2001?
PNG produced more than 16,000 tonnes for the domestic market in 2001.
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- How many eggs are produced in PNG annually?
About 3.2 million dozen or in excess of 38 million eggs are produced annually.
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- How much pig meat (pork - ham - poro) did PNG produce in 2001?
PNG produced 1,500 tonnes in 2001, 1,450 tonnes in 2001
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- What is a Spanish Dancer?
It is one of the largest species of Nudibranchs and may grow to a size of 400mm.
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- What is often referred to as the "butterflies of the sea"?
Sea Slugs or Nudibranchs with their gaudy colours, intricate patterns, and bizarre shapes are often referred to as the "butterflies of the sea". There are over 3,000 species currently recorded and hundreds more yet to be described.
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- Is the Klinki pine the tallest tree in P.N.G? Where abouts is it and how high is it?
The tallest tropical rain forest tree may be the klinki pine from Papua New Guinea (93 m). It is also not a true pine but a member of the Araucaria family of conifers.
See http://www.forestlight.co.uk for a picture and location.
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- What is the scientific name for the "bubblegum tree" and does it have a commercial or other value? A friend of mine who lives on the black lakes near Ambunti has planted some many years ago and wants to know if they have a commercial value.
Sorry I have not been able to find a scientific name for the bubble gum tree and whether it has a commercial value or not I do not know.
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- Can you give me a list of endangered animal species in PNG?
I would say that all species are endangered due to the destruction of the habitat used by the various animals and the encroachment of "man" on to areas that were not previoulsy occupied.
Perhaps this would be a good project for a school to answer?
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- Are there any books or field guides on the birds of PNG?
What is the currency exchange rate to the $AU?
Try looking for books by William (Bill) Peckover. He has produced a couple of books.
(Dec 2007) The PNG Kina buys about 38 Aussie cents but going from AUD to PGK I am not sure of the rate. All I know is that the banks always win on any transaction.
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- Are their cows in PNG?
Yes there are cows in PNG. In fact PNG exports live cattle to other countries.
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- How many species of mammals are there in PNG?
The current figure is 242 with 57 of these endemic to PNG.
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- I know that peanuts are grown in PNG but is there any processing of this product in the country?
No, not that I am aware of, but during the 1970's and '80's there was processing of peanuts in the Morobe Province. Some peanuts were exported overseas from Lae to many of the countries in the South Pacifc. Peanuts were also made into peanut butter at the Atzera Rural Co-opeeartive for the domestic and international market. Sadly these ventures have folded.
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- How many different bird species are there in PNG?
762 species with 85 endemic to PNG.
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- How many bird species are there in PNG?
There are over 760 bird species including the bowerbird, cassowaries, crowned pigeons, cockatoos and the truly remarkable hornbill known as the kokomo.
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- How many birds of paradise can be found in PNG?
Of the 43 known species around the world, 38 of them can be found in Papua New Guinea.
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- What are the two species of bee-eaters found in PNG?
The two species of bee-eaters found in PNG are the Blue-tailed (a resident) and the Rainbow Bee-eater a migrant from Australia.
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- What is the most frequently seen small falcons in PNG?
The most frequently seen small falcons in PNG are probably the Oriental Hobby or the Brown Falcon. Occassionaly the Kestrel pays a visit to PNG from Australia.
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- How tall does the flightless Cassowary grow?
Cassowaries can grow to a height of 1.3 to 1.7 metres and can weigh as much as 60 kilograms?
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- I hear that there is an unusual bird that is poisonous - what is the name of this bird?
PNG is home to the only known poisonous bird - the pitohuis. The toxin (homobatrachotoxin) found in this bird is supposed to be identical to the poison found in the poison dart frogs of South America.
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- How many bananas does PNG produce annually?
Banana production in PNG has been estimated to be between 413,000 and 665,000 tonnes annually with an average of six tonnes per hectare for cooking bananas to 27 tonnes per hectare for desert bananas.
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- How many native types of bananas are there in PNG?
There are more than 30 varieties in PNG and the commonly grown are the dwarf, medium and tall cavendish and Gros Michel.
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Please note that this is not "Ask Jeeves" — you cannot type a whole sentence as your query. Enter a word, a phrase, or several words and press search.
Please remember that this is a FAQ database about Papua New Guinea.
Doing a search for PNG or New Guinea or even P.N.G will probably not return much. Keep the search simple. i.e. if you want to find out the population simply enter "population" without the quotes. There is no need to have PNG / P.N.G or whatever in the search string.
