A family of Hoolock gibbons trapped on a lone ficus tree in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley has been successfully rescued after an intensive four-day operation, forest authorities said on December 6. The adult male, adult female and juvenile were released into the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, where they are now under continuous monitoring.
Divisional Forest Officer Mito Rumi said the trio was sighted near the release site on Friday morning and appeared to be adapting well. The gibbons had become marooned on a 45-metre-high tree in Horu Pahar village after agricultural expansion wiped out the surrounding canopy. With no natural bridge to move through the forest, the arboreal apes were increasingly forced toward the ground, leaving them vulnerable to injury and predation.
A veterinary team from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) examined the animals before their release and found all three to be underweight. Team lead Dr Bhaskar Choudhury said the isolated family had been suffering from nutritional stress for a prolonged period and would not have survived much longer without intervention.
WTI Director Sunil Kyarong said the rescue posed unique technical challenges due to the height of the tree and the species’ delicate behaviour. He noted that even a minor error during extraction could have resulted in a fatal fall. Mountaineering volunteers played a crucial role by providing rope-climbing support and helping secure the animals safely.
Forest officials confirmed that other stranded gibbon families have been located in Denlo village. Due to the steep terrain and towering trees, additional operations will be carried out in phases over the next three months.
Highlighting the conservation significance of the mission, Dr Choudhury stressed that Hoolock gibbons — India’s only ape and a Schedule I protected species — serve as key indicators of forest health. Habitat fragmentation, he warned, is pushing these endangered primates to the brink.
The state forest department credited strong community involvement for the success of the rescue effort. “Local support has been remarkable, and together we are committed to safeguarding these gibbons,” Rumi added.
