Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-10-31T17:35:22.781Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

10 - Challenges and Prospects in the Conservation of Hoolock Gibbon in India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 April 2023

Susan M. Cheyne
Affiliation:
Borneo Nature Foundation
Carolyn Thompson
Affiliation:
University College London
Peng-Fei Fan
Affiliation:
Sun Yat-Sen University, China
Helen J. Chatterjee
Affiliation:
University College London
Get access

Summary

Western hoolock gibbons (Hoolock hoolock) and eastern hoolock gibbons (Hoolock leuconedys) represent the ape group in India. The seven northeastern states (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Manipur) support the entire gibbon population in India, where their distribution is limited to the southern bank of the Dibang–Brahmaputra River system. Rapid loss of habitat, habitat fragmentation and hunting are the major threats to hoolock gibbons in India. The launch of the Indo-US Primate Project provided motivation to conserve the hoolock gibbon in the region. Research, education and awareness, training, capacity building and socioeconomic development programmes, carried out during and after the Indo-US Primate Project, created a healthy environment for the conservation of gibbons in India. Ex-situ conservation practices like rescue and rehabilitation, translocation, conservation breeding programmes and community-based conservation have been the result of collaborations between the government and non-governmental organisations over the past two decades, thus raising new hope for the survival of these species. The recent declaration of protected areas will ensure the long-term survival of the gibbons and its habitats. We feel that all stakeholders should emphasise the development of workable plans for the conservation of gibbons after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alfred, J.R.B. and Sati, J.P. (1986). The gibbons with special reference to Hylobates hoolock. In Majupuria, T.C. (ed.), Wildlife Wealth of India: Resources and Management. Tecpress Service, Bangkok: 384390.Google Scholar
Alfred, J.R.B. and Sati, J.P. (1990). Survey and census of the hoolock gibbon in West Garo Hills, Northeast India. Primates, 31(2): 299306.Google Scholar
Alfred, J.R.B. and Sati, J.P. (1994). Diet and feeding in the hoolock gibbon of Garo hills in North-Eastern India. Annual Forester, 2(2): 109122.Google Scholar
Bartlett, T.Q. (2001). Extra-group copulations by sub-adult gibbons: implications for understanding gibbon social organisation. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 114(Suppl 32): 36.Google Scholar
Biswas, J., Sangma, A., Ray, P.C., Das, J. and Tapi, T. (2010). Status survey and bio-geography of hoolock gibbon in Arunachal Pradesh. Final Report of Primate Research Centre NE India, PRCNE03: 1–28.Google Scholar
Brockelman, W.Y. and Geissmann, T. (2019). Hoolock leuconedys. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. Available at www.iucnredlist.org/species/118355453/17968300 (accessed 28 February 2022).Google Scholar
Brockelman, W.Y. and Strikosamatara, S. (1984). Maintenance and evolution of social structure in gibbon. In Preuschoft, H., Chivers, D.J., Brockelman, W.Y. and Creel, N. (eds.), The Lesser Apes: Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh: 298323.Google Scholar
Brockelman, W.Y., Molur, S. and Geissmann, T. (2019). Hoolock hoolock. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. Available at www.iucnredlist.org/species/39876/17968083 (accessed 28 February 2022).Google Scholar
Chetry, D., Medhi, R. and Bhattacharjee, P.C. (2002). A report on primates of the Nokrek National Park, India. Tiger Paper, 29(3): 3032.Google Scholar
Chetry, D., Medhi, R., Biswas, J., Das, D. and Bhattacharjee, P.C. (2003). A survey of non-human primates in the Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh (India). International Journal of Primatology, 24(2): 383388.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chetry, D., Chetry, R. and Bhattacharjee, P.C. (2007). Hoolock: The Ape of India. Gibbon Conservation Centre and Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Mariani, Assam, India.Google Scholar
Chetry, D., Chetry, R., Das, A., Loma, C. and Panor, J. (2008). New distribution records of Hoolock leuconedys in India. Primate Conservation, 23: 125128.Google Scholar
Chetry, D., Chetry, R., Gosh, K. and Singh, A.K. (2010). Status and distribution of the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) in Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Primate Conservation, 25: 8794.Google Scholar
Chetry, D., Phukan, M., Chetry, R. and Bhattacharjee, P.C. (2019). Survey of hoolock gibbon to identify their current status, viable population and recommendation for their conservation in eastern Assam, India. Final Report, Aaranyak, PRCD: 1–43.Google Scholar
Chetry, D., Phukan, M., Chetry, S., et al. (2021). The eastern hoolock gibbon Hoolock leuconedys population in Assam, India, is on the verge of extinction. Primate Conservation, 35: 17.Google Scholar
Chetry, R. and Chetry, D. (2011). Hoolock gibbon conservation in India. Gibbon Journal, 6: 712.Google Scholar
Chivers, D.J. (1977). The lesser apes. In Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Bourne, G.H. (eds.), Primate Conservation. Academic Press, New York: 539598.Google Scholar
Chivers, D.J. (1984). Feeding and ranging in gibbons: a summary. In Preuschoft, H., Chivers, D.J., Brockelman, W.Y. and Creel, N. (eds.), The Lesser Apes: Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh: 267281.Google Scholar
Chivers, D.J. (2013). Family Hylobatidae (gibbons). In Mittermeier, R.A., Rylands, A.B. and Wilson, D.E. (eds.), Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Vol. 3. Primates. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona: 754777.Google Scholar
Choudhury, A.U. (1987). Notes on the distribution and conservation of Phayre’s leaf monkey and hoolock gibbon in India. Tiger Paper, 14(2): 26.Google Scholar
Choudhury, A.U. (1988). Priority ratings for conservation of Indian primates. Oryx, 22: 8994.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Choudhury, A.U. (1989). Primates of Assam: their distribution, habitat and status. Unpublished PhD thesis, Gauhati University, Assam, India.Google Scholar
Choudhury, A.U. (1990). Population dynamics of hoolock gibbons in Assam, India. American Journal of Primatology, 20: 3741.Google Scholar
Choudhury, A.U. (1991). Ecology of the hoolock gibbon, a lesser ape in the tropical forests of NE India. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 7: 147153.Google Scholar
Choudhury, A.U. (2006). The distribution and status of hoolock gibbon, Hoolock hoolock, in Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland in Northeast India. Primate Conservation, 22: 7987.Google Scholar
Das, J. (2002). Socioecology of hoolock gibbon Hylobates hoolock hoolock (Harlan, 1836) in response to habitat change. Unpublished PhD thesis, Gauhati University, Assam, India.Google Scholar
Das, J., Bhattacharjee, P.C., Biswas, J. and Chetry, D. (2005). Western Hoolock Gibbon: Socioecology, Threats and Conservation Action Plan. Department of Zoology, Gauhati University and Primate Research Centre, Northeast Centre, Guwahati, Assam: 1–70.Google Scholar
Das, J., Biswas, J., Bhattacharjee, P.C. and Mohnot, S.M. (2006). First distribution records of the eastern hoolock gibbon Hoolock hoolock leuconedys from India. Zoos’ Print Journal, 21: 23162320.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Das, J., Biswas, J., Bhattacherjee, P.C. and Mohnot, S.M. (2009). The distribution and abundance of hoolock gibbons in India. In Lappan, S. and Whittaker, D.J. (eds.), The Gibbons: New Perspectives on Small Ape Socioecology and Population Biology. Springer, New York: 409433.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Das, J., Biswas, J., Das, N., Molur, S. and Bagley, F. (2011). Strategic plan for western hoolock gibbon conservation in Assam, India. Gibbon Journal, 6: 3033.Google Scholar
Dhillon, A. (2017). Indigenous culture and tribes of northeast India. Available at www.thekootneeti.in/2017/11/03/indigenous-culture-and-tribes-of-north-east/ (accessed 5 December 2022).Google Scholar
Fan, P., Jiang, X., Liu, C. and Luo, W. (2006). Polygynous mating system and behavioural reason of black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) at Dazhaizi, Mt. Wuliang, Yunnan, China. Zoological Research, 27(2): 216220.Google Scholar
Fan, P., He, K., Chen, X., et al. (2017). Description of a new species of hoolock gibbon (Primates: Hylobatidae) based on integrative taxonomy. American Journal of Primatology, 79(5): e22631.Google Scholar
Fan, P., Turvey, S.T. and Bryant, J.V. (2020). Hoolock tianxing (amended version of 2019 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020. Available at www.iucnredlist.org/species/118355648/166597159 (accessed 28 February 2022).Google Scholar
Forest Survey of India (2019). India State of Forest Report. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dehradun, India. Available at www.fsi.nic.in/forest-report-2019.Google Scholar
Geissmann, T. (1995). Gibbon systematics and species identification. International Zoo News, 42: 467501.Google Scholar
Groves, C.P. (1972). Systematics and phylogeny of gibbons. In Rumbaugh, D.M. (ed.), Gibbon and Siamang, Vol. 1. Evolution, Ecology, Behavior, and Captive Maintenance. Karger, Basel: 189.Google Scholar
Guan, Z.H., Ma, C.Y., Fei, H.L., et al. (2018). Ecology and social system of northern gibbons living in cold seasonal forests. Zoological Research, 39(4): 255265.Google Scholar
Gupta, A.K., Sharma, N., Dasgupta, S., Chakraborty, D. and Hazarika, R. (2005). Conservation of hoolock gibbon (Bunopithecus hoolock) in Northeast India. Wildlife Institute of India and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Available at www.academia.edu/10172124/Conservation_of_Hoolock_Gibbon_Bunopithecus_hoolock_in_Northeast_IndiaGoogle Scholar
Haimoff, E.H. (1984). Acoustic and organisation features of gibbon songs. In Preuschoft, H., Chivers, D.J., Brockelman, W.Y. and Creel, N. (eds.), The Lesser Apes: Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh: 333353.Google Scholar
Kakati, K. (2004). Impact of forest fragmentation on the hoolock gibbon in Assam, India. PhD thesis, University of Cambridge.Google Scholar
Krishna, C.M., Kumar, A., Ray, P.C., et al. (2013). Impact of road widening on wildlife in Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, India: a conservation issue. Asian Journal Conservation Biology, 2: 7678.Google Scholar
Kumar, A., Mary, P.P. and Bagchie, P. (2009). Present distribution, population status, and conservation of western hoolock gibbons Hoolock hoolock (Primates: Hylobatidae) in Namdapha National Park, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 1(4): 203210.Google Scholar
Kumar, A., Sarma, K., Krishna, M. and Devi, A. (2013). The eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, India. Primate Conservation, 27: 115123.Google Scholar
Leighton, D.R. (1987). Gibbons: territory and monogamy. In Smuts, B.B., Chenny, D.L., Seyfarth, R.M., Wrangham, R.W. and Struhsaker, T.T. (eds.), Primate Societies. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 135145.Google Scholar
Marshall, J.T. and Marshall, E.R. (1976). Gibbons and their territorial songs. Science, 193: 235237.Google Scholar
Marshall, J.T. and Marshall, E.R. (1978). The Gibbons (phonograph disc). ARA Records, Gainesville, FL.Google Scholar
Marshall, J. and Sugardijito, J. (1986). Gibbon systematics. In Swindler, D. (ed.), Comparative Primate Biology: Systematics, Evolution and Anatomy. Alan R. Liss, New York: 137185.Google Scholar
Mittermeier, R.A. (1987). Effects of hunting on rainforest primates. In Marsh, C.W. and Mittermeier, R.A. (eds.), Primate Conservation in Tropical Rain Forest. Alan R. Liss, New York: 109146.Google Scholar
Mohnot, S.M. (1995). Indo-US Primate Project Report: Annual Report I. Department of Zoology, JNV University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.Google Scholar
Molur, S., Walker, S., Islam, A., et al. (eds.) (2005). Conservation of western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock hoolock) in India and Bangladesh. Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) Workshop Report. Zoo Outreach Organisation, CBSG-South Asia, Coimbatore, India.Google Scholar
Mukherjee, R.P. (1982). Survey of non-human primates of Tripura, India. Journal of the Zoological Society India, 34(1–2): 7081.Google Scholar
Mukherjee, R.P, Chaudhuri, S. and Murmu, A. (1988). Hoolock gibbons in Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. Primate Conservation, 9: 121123.Google Scholar
Mukherjee, R.P., Chaudhuri, S. and Murmu, A. (1992). Hoolock gibbons (Hylobates hoolock) in Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India: the Lohit District. Primate Conservation, 12–13: 3133.Google Scholar
Nellemann, C., Miles, L., Kaltenborn, B.P., Virtue, M. and Ahlenius, H. (eds.) (2007). The Last Stand of the Orangutan. State of Emergency: Illegal Logging, Fire and Palm Oil in Indonesia’s National Parks. United Nations Environmental Programme, GRID-Arendal, Norway. Available at https://ia600300.us.archive.org/26/items/laststandoforang07nell/laststandoforang07nell.pdf.Google Scholar
Ryland, A., Mittermeier, R. and Williamson, E.A. (2020). Primate conservation: new reports from the field. Oryx, 54(6): 751752.Google Scholar
Singh, M., Singh, M., Kumara, H.N., Chetry, D. and Mahato, S. (2020). A history of primatology in India (in memory of Professor Sheo Dan Singh). Journal of Threatened Taxa, 12(13): 1671516735.Google Scholar
Sircar, D., Bhagat, R., Kyarong, S., et al. (2016). Big trouble for a small mammal: translocating Hoolock gibbon to safer habitat, India. Report of Wildlife Trust of India: 1–17.Google Scholar
Soorae, P.S. and Baker, L.R. (eds.) (2002). Re-introduction NEWS: Special Primate Issue. Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group, No. 21: 1–66.Google Scholar
Srivastava, A. (1999). Primates of Northeast India. Megadiversity Press, Bikaner, India.Google Scholar
Srivastava, A. (2006). Conservation of threatened primates of northeast India. Primate Conservation, 20: 107113.Google Scholar
Srivastava, A., Das, J., Biswas, J., et al. (2001). Primate population decline in response to habitat loss: Borajan Reserved Forest of Assam, India. Primates, 42(4): 401406.Google Scholar
Tilson, R.L. (1979). On the behaviour of hoolock gibbon (Hylobates hoolock) during different seasons in Assam, India. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 76: 116.Google Scholar
Trivedi, M., Manu, S., Balakrishnan, S., et al. (2021). Understanding the phylogenetics of Indian hoolock gibbons: Hoolock hoolock and H. leuconedys. International Journal of Primatology, 42: 463477.Google Scholar
Wich, S.A., Meijaard, E., Marshall, A.J., et al. (2008). Distribution and conservation status of the orang-utan (Pongo spp.) on Borneo and Sumatra: how many remain? Oryx, 42: 329339.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×