Tura: The AHAM Central Executive Board (CEB) in Tura town of Meghalaya has voiced strong opposition to the planned relocation of Western Hoolock Gibbons from the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre in Garo Hills to the new state zoo at Umtrew.

The group outlined several concerns, citing potential harm to the animals and ecological disruption. In a letter addressed to Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma, the organization warned that moving the gibbons could lead to significant stress and adaptation issues, adversely affecting their well-being and conservation status.

The letter stated that these gibbons are unique to the western part of Meghalaya, where they play a crucial ecological role.

“Western Hoolock gibbons are unique to the western part of Meghalaya. They are distinguished by their unique vocalizations, which are critical for maintaining social bonds and territorial claims. They also exhibit complex arboreal behaviors that are specific to the dense forest habitats of Garo Hills. Relocating them to a zoo would strip them of their natural environment, potentially leading to the loss of these unique behaviors and adaptations,” stated the AHAM CEB.

The organization further argued that the proposed relocation to the Guwahati Zoo and Lucknow Zoo contravenes the guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which advocate for the maintenance of endangered species in their natural habitats whenever possible.

Additionally, they noted that the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 requires the protection of wildlife and their habitats, and transferring the gibbons would violate these legal protections.

Highlighting the cultural importance of the gibbons to the Garo community, the organization remarked, “The ‘Huro,’ as they call it, has been conserved for generations as it is a sacred animal. It is a cultural icon for the Garo, and the ancestors regarded the Huro as ‘A’song Nokgipa, Burung Nokgipa, and Chiga Nokgipa’—meaning they are believed to be the custodians of the land, forest, and river. Thus, the Garo people have always understood the ecological importance of gibbons.”

The AHAM CEB also highlighted the critical role of the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre, established in 2008, in the preservation and rehabilitation of the gibbons.  The organization suggested upgrading the existing facility rather than relocating the gibbons, ensuring their continued protection in their natural habitat.