Archive · 6 Aug 2025
India's Only Ape: Western Hoolock Gibbon Faces Threats
India's only ape, the Western Hoolock Gibbon, is in trouble.
These gibbons are disappearing from some areas due to problems like losing their homes to farms and buildings.
A scientist wants the government to start a special project, like they have for tigers and elephants, to help save them.
The gibbons live in northeastern India and face threats like hunting and habitat loss.
Experts say we need to fix their homes, connect different areas for them to move, and study them better.
They also want to get more people and the government to care about saving them.
Western Hoolock Gibbons, India's only ape, face population decline and local extinction.
Habitat loss, resource extraction, and infrastructure development are major threats.
A primatologist calls for a national 'Project Gibbon' to aid conservation.
Conservation actions needed: habitat restoration, ecological corridors, and research.
The International Primatological Society declared the gibbon among the world's most endangered primates.
- Who
- Primatologist Dilip Chetry and the International Primatological Society.
- What
- Western Hoolock Gibbons are under threat and facing local extinction.
- When
- The report was released August 6, and the International Primatological Society Congress was held in July.
- Where
- Northeastern India, also found in Bangladesh and Myanmar.
- Why
- Due to habitat loss, hunting, and other threats.
Conservationists
Government
Funding and Action
Conservationists
Need immediate action and funding.
Government
Potentially lower funding and action.
- Species
- Western Hoolock Gibbon
- Threats
- Habitat loss, resource extraction, hunting, etc.
- Location in India
- Southern bank of the Brahmaputra river and east of the Dibang river.
- Action Requested
- National 'Project Gibbon'
- Conservation actions needed
- Habitat restoration, ecological corridors, research.
- Distribution
- Northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar