Hoolock Gibbon released in the wild

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http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/environmental-services/200805279829.htm

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.

New Delhi, Delhi, IND, 2008-05-27 15:51:33 (IndiaPRwire.com) Downloads

 

 

 

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.

 

*- End -*

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.