A family of endangered Hoolock gibbons, consisting of an adult male, an adult female, and a juvenile, was successfully rescued after being stranded for several days atop a 45-meter Ficus tree in Horu Pahar village, Arunachal Pradesh. The operation, which lasted four days and required significant technical skill, involved close collaboration between the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The gibbons were found underweight and nutritionally stressed after prolonged isolation due to agricultural activities that fragmented their forest habitat. Post-rescue assessments indicated that their survival depended on timely intervention.
The rescue operation, which required a deep understanding of gibbon behavior and coordination among the team members, was supported by local mountaineering volunteers who trained the rescuers in modern rope-climbing techniques. Officials have also identified additional gibbon families in need of rescue in the agricultural belt of Denlo village, which faces similar habitat fragmentation issues. The urgency of conserving the Hoolock gibbon, India’s only ape species, is emphasized due to their role as indicators of forest health and the ongoing risks posed by habitat loss. The Arunachal forest department has committed to collaboration with the community to ensure the survival of these endangered apes, reaffirming their dedication to gibbon conservation.
