The Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo is named after the Norwegian naturalist-explorer, Dr Carl Lumholtz, who obtained a number of animals during several months spent in the rocky districts of the Herbert River in 1882.
It was recorded at the time that Aboriginal people who were very familiar with the tree-kangaroo called it "Boongarry". Although it is also known as "Mabi" or "Muppie" by the Ngadjon-Jii people of the larger Malanda area (Atherton Tableland). It is the totem of one of the elders and therefore enjoys special protection among the local population. The following largely focuses just on this species.
