Arunachal first to breed Hoolock Gibbon in captivity

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh, known as one of the richest bio-diversity hotspots in the world, has earned a distinction by becoming the first state to breed Hoolock Gibbon, an endangered species, in captivity.

The Deputy Chief Wildlife Warden, Chukhu Loma, in charge of the Biological Park here, said the baby Hoolock Gibbon was born on July 11 to Rukmini and her husband Lagdeer.

The two gibbons were among eight Hoolock Gibbons rescued from Delo forest in Lower Dibang Valley district and rehabilitated in the park located close to Lorputung forest.

The birth is the result of a project - National Hoolock Gibbon Conservation and Breeding Programme - being implemented in the park since March, 2007. The programme aims at providing a natural habitat to the endangered species, protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Loma said.

The Hullock Gibbons have become the cynosure of the visitors to the park whose number has recorded a four-fold increase yielding higher revenue.

Loma said that since 2007 the population of the animal had increased from eight to 15 which included five breeding pairs.
He said the pairs were kept in an enclosure outside public view to minimize human contact.