A family of Hoolock gibbons was successfully rescued after a challenging four-day operation in Horu Pahar village, located in the Lower Dibang Valley district, according to forest officials on December 6. This rescued group, consisting of an adult male, an adult female, and a juvenile, has now been released into the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, where they will be closely monitored.
Mito Rumi, the Divisional Forest Officer of Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, stated, “We spotted all three individuals near the release site on Friday morning and they appear to be in a stable condition.” The gibbons had become trapped on a 45-meter tall ficus tree after agricultural expansion fragmented their home environment. “Their habitat had been reduced to a single tree. With no canopy connectivity, the animals were being forced to come down to the ground, which is extremely dangerous for an arboreal ape,” Rumi added.
Veterinary assessments by experts from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) revealed that the gibbons were underweight. Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury, who led the veterinary team, expressed concern, saying, “The family had been nutritionally stressed and isolated for a long time. Their survival chances would have dropped sharply without timely intervention.”
WTI Director Sunil Kyarong discussed the complexities involved in the rescue, emphasizing that extracting gibbons from such heights demands precision, calm coordination, and a thorough understanding of their behavior. “Any misstep could have led to fatal falls,” he noted. The state forest department acknowledged the crucial role played by mountaineering volunteers, whose expertise in rope climbing ensured a safe extraction.
Officials have also identified additional stranded gibbon families in Denlo village. “Given the height of trees and difficult terrain, rescue operations will continue in staggered phases over the next three months,” a forest official indicated.
Dr. Choudhury highlighted the critical conservation role of Hoolock gibbons, the only ape species indigenous to India and classified as a Schedule I species. He remarked, “They are vital indicators of forest health, and habitat fragmentation is pushing these populations to the brink.”
The state forest department has reiterated its commitment to protecting these endangered apes, with Rumi stating, “Community support has been strong, and together we will ensure the survival of these gibbons.”
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/story/hoolock-gibbon-family-rescued-after-four-day-operation-in-arunachal-pradesh-1313654-2025-12-06?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-12-06 12:38:00
