Itanagar: A male Hoolock gibbon, India’s only ape species, has been documented at an elevation of 2,267 meters within the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.
This is the highest ever elevation at which the species has been documented within the reserve, according to park authorities.
The gibbon was captured on camera traps deployed for routine wildlife monitoring. While Hoolock gibbons are known to exist up to 2,700 meters, this particular sighting underscores the crucial role of high-altitude forest ecosystems in the species’ long-term survival.
Arup Kumar Deka, CF and Field Director of Namdapha Tiger Reserve & Tiger Reserve (NTR&TR), emphasized the growing importance of these areas. “As climate patterns shift and lowland habitats become increasingly fragmented, mid-altitude forests may become critical refuges for species like the Hoolock gibbon,” he stated.
Range Forest Officer Biri Karba said the record further highlights the ecological value of the upper elevations of the reserve and the need for focused conservation measures in montane habitats.
The Hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, granting it the highest level of legal protection. Endemic to Northeast India and parts of Southeast Asia, its survival relies heavily on intact forest canopies for movement and feeding.
The Namdapha field team and research unit were credited for the documentation. “Their work continues to shed light on the unique and fragile biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas,” Deka added.
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The Namdapha Tiger Reserve stands as one of India’s most ecologically diverse protected areas, encompassing a vast altitudinal range from tropical rainforests to alpine meadows.
The presence of the Hoolock gibbon at such a high elevation serves as a strong indicator of the area’s ecological importance and the urgent need to conserve these vital landscapes.
