TURA, FEB 12: A couple of western Hoolock gibbon, rehabilitated for seven years, was released in the wild at Nokrek national park in West Garo hills on Wednesday. The successful release of the gibbon species is first-of-its-kind in the world.
“The western Hoolock gibbon couple released in Garo hills was done for the first time in the country and anywhere in the world”, said Florian Magne, director of Huro programme.
Magne said that the gibbons were rescued from the clutches of the villagers in South Garo hills in April 2009. The female was rescued from A’gin Darenggre and male from Chitmang Hangsapal village.
At Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre in Silsotchigre, about 40 km from Tura, both were rehabilitated under the guidance of Magne and his team, which comprises of local youths trained to handle gibbons.
Gibbons are locally known as Huro. The project is funded by donors from Europe and France.
The female was named Remi and the male as Robinson. “Both the gibbons were very young at the time of rescue. They were rehabilitated for seven years as per the IUCN norms and were released”, Magne added.
Presently, there are eight gibbons at the rescue centre. “It was an emotional moment for the entire team, who has been tirelessly working at the centre. It was also an accomplishment for us, we were able to release the gibbons in the wild”, an elated Magne said.
In 2012 and 2015 an effort was made to release the gibbon couple in the wild at Amgratoli Forest Reserve in South Garo Hills and at Silsotchigre Community Reserve forest, however, it was unsuccessful. “There was uncontrolled encroachment and felling of trees in the release site, which posed hindrance”, informed Magne.
The release site at Nokrek national park has three existing gibbon families. One of the families has five members and the other two families comprises of three and two members.
“The gibbon couple thoroughly underwent health checkup by veterinarian and was found fit and healthy to be released”, Magne said.
Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock Hoolock) of Hyalobatidae family is an endangered species protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Nokrek National Park has fruit bearing trees all-round the year. Of the eight gibbons at the centre, a couple Dawn and Espoir has an offspring (male) named Sanjay. Magne said that the family would be released in the coming years.
A local youth Sandrick A. Sangma, who is the in charge of the centre, underwent training at Lepal Zoo in France. He is being sent to Gibbon Conservation Centre, Santa Clarita at California in USA this year.
A total of 13 employees are engaged at the centre.
They are also running a free school at the village, where the centre is located. A total of 120 students are studying from nursery to Class VI.-From Our Correspondent
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