The released Hoolock gibbon goes wild
A female hoolock gibbon was released in Panbari Reserve, Kaziranga National Park - Assam. This was the first ever release of a Hoolock gibbon in the wild in India.
Tweet-- In a remarkable development that might provide the strategy for the management of single gibbons living without mates in Assam, the Forest Department, Assam in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, united a captive-reared female gibbon 'Siloni' with a wild male living in the Panbari Reserve Forests, near Kaziranga National Park. The Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. B.S. Bonal, was present on the occasion when the female was released at 7.30 AM on the 25th of May 2008. The gibbon was released as per the decision of governing council meeting of CWRC chaired by Commissioner & Secretary (Forest), Govt. of Assam and Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam. Within five minutes of the enclosure gate being opened, Siloni ventured out for her first ever feel of the wilderness. She has been living for more than four months in a large enclosure suspended under the canopy of a Ficus tree. The wild male has been frequenting the cage since day one, and of late even mating with the captive female through the enclosure mesh. More than four months of acclimatization in soft release in Panbari Reserve Forest the condition was considered adequate for the establishment of pair-bonding. Soon after her release, Siloni showed more interested in exploring the forests than the wild male who has been waiting all these days for her freedom.
Gibbons have never been released before in India, or for that matter any mammalian species known to live pairs. 'Siloni' was less than a year old when rescued from Silonijan in February 2003 and has since then been living without a mate at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) with the support of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Animal Welfare Division, Government of India.
The hoolock gibbon (Bunopithecus hoolock) is an endangered species listed in the Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). The survival of the species is threatened due to habitat loss, hunting and illegal trade. Habitat fragmentation has forced many gibbons in Assam to live in isolation, often without a mate. These gibbon populations living in fragmented forest patches may not be able to survive as a self-sustainable population for long. One possible solution for solitary males and females is to relocate, acclimatize and releasing them after ensuring that pairing has taken place.
Rehabilitation efforts like this and the ones being undertaken for rhinos, elephants, wild buffalos and many other species of birds, reptiles and mammals at CWRC, can make strong political and educational statements concerning the fate of rescued and displaced animals.
Notes to Editor
Wildlife Trust of Inda (WTI) is a not -for- Proft Charity organization in india. The organization work across the country in the field of wildlife conservation, Rescue, Rehabilitaton, Enforcement assistance etc.. to ensure a better future for the Wildlife in India.