Shillong, June 29: The Hoolock Gibbons, currently being kept at a rescue centre in Garo Hills, will soon be relocated to Meghalaya State Zoo at Umtrew in Ri Bhoi District.

The Meghalaya State Zoo has already been granted recognition by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and essential infrastructure is nearly completed.

The Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre in Silsotchigre, about 40 kms from Tura in West Garo Hills district, has been rehabilitating rescued Western Hoolock Gibbons for over 16 years. The proposal to relocate the Hoolock Gibbons, known locally as Huro, from the rescue centre to the State Zoo has made the residents of the area, and of Garo Hills, quite emotional and unhappy. The centre was founded by Florian Magne, a French national, way back in 2007.

But government has reasoned that the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre is a ‘rescue centre’ and the Hoolock Gibbons need to be sent back to their natural habitat. Since they have been in the rescue centre for so long, and under human care, sending them directly back to forests is a risk as there is a high probability that they won’t be able to adjust and survive in the wild again. Hence, sending them to a zoo that mimics the natural habitat is the best option, for now.

In a press statement on Friday, government stressed that the proposed relocation of Hoolock Gibbons is from the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre, and not from the natural forests of Garo Hills. “Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre, which has been functioning for long time, is not a natural forest habitat but only a rescue centre which does not have any approval/recognition from the CZA (Central Zoo Authority), and has been keeping these animals in its facility which is not adequate as per CZA norms… Moreover, as the animals have been in those conditions in the rescue centre and under human care for long time, they cannot be successfully rehabilitated and reintroduced into their natural forest habitat,” Government said.

The government said the facilities in the Zoo at Umtrew are technically approved/recognized by CZA whereas Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre is not approved/ recognized by CZA and the notion that Gibbons are in their natural habitat right now at the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre is completely false.

In this backdrop, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) had proposed to the State for transfer of Gibbons from the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre to different recognized zoos which had necessary housing facilities for the species.

It may be noted that the CZA is the apex statutory body of Government of India, constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, with a mandate to complement national effort in conservation of biodiversity of the country and to ensure that zoos in the country are brought up to international standards, and are managed as per Recognition of Zoo Rules 1992, amended in 2009 and 2013.

The proposed transfer of Hoolock Gibbons, classified as Schedule-I animal under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, is being undertaken as per directives from the CZA to provide them with the highest standards of upkeep and care as per Rules.

State Government also mentioned that the new Zoo at Umtrew has been established in accordance with the CZA norms and all the animal enclosures have been created as per CZA approved designs and specifications, which will provide Gibbons from the Sonja Rescue Centre a much better and ideal environment for their long-term care and well-being.

State Government has further clarified that Nokma of Silchotchigre has already withdrawn the permission granted to this Centre and requested the State Government to take necessary action vide its letter to Hon’ble Chief Minister dated 14th June, 2024.

State Government has reiterated its commitment to wildlife conservation and management (both in-situ and ex-situ) under the strict regulatory regime and enforcement of Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 in the State of Meghalaya.

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