Skip to main content

The Distribution and Abundance of Hoolock Gibbons in India

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Gibbons

Part of the book series: Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects ((DIPR))

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson, J. 1879. Anatomical and Zoological Researches: Comprising an Account of the Zoological Results of the Two Expeditions to Western Yunnan in 1868 and 1875 and a Monograph of the Cetacean Genera, Platanista and Orcella. London: Bernard Quaritch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J. 1881. Catalogue of Mammalia in the Indian Museum, Calcutta. Part I. Calcutta: Calcutta Indian Museum Trustees.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brockelman, W.Y. and Chivers, D.J. 1984. Gibbon conservation: looking to the future. In The Lesser Apes: Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology, H. Preuschoft, D.J. Chivers, W.Y. Brockelman and N. Creel (eds.), pp. 3–12. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choudhury, A. 1989. Primates of Assam: their distribution, habitat and status. (unpubl. Ph.D. thesis, Gauhati University).

    Google Scholar 

  • Choudhury, A. 1990. Population dynamics of hoolock (Hylobates hoolock) in Assam, India. American Journal of Primatology 20:37–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choudhury, A. 1991. Primate survey in southern Assam, India. Primate Conservation 9:123–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choudhury, A. 1996. A survey of hoolock gibbon (Hylobates hoolock) in southern Assam, India. Primate Report 44:77–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choudhury, A. 2000. A survey of hoolock gibbon (Hylobates hoolock) in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Assam, India. Primate Report 56:61–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choudhury, A. 2006. The distribution and status of hoolock gibbon, Hoolock hoolock in Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland in Northeast India. Primate Conservation 20:79–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Das, J. 2002. Socioecology of hoolock gibbon: Hylobates hoolock hoolock (Harlan, 1834) in response to habitat change. (unpubl. Ph.D. thesis, University of Gauhati).

    Google Scholar 

  • Das, J., Biswas, J., Bhattacherjee, P.C. and Mohnot, S.M. 2006. First distribution records of the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hylobates hoolock leuconedys) from India. Zoos' Print 21:2316–2320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Das, J., Biswas, J., Medhi, R., Bose, J., Chetry, D., Bujorborua, P. and Begum, F. 2003. Distributional status of hoolock gibbon (Bunopithecus hoolock) and their conservation in southern Assam. Tigerpaper 30:26–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Das, J., Feeroz, M.M., Islam, M.A., Biswas, J., Bujarborua, P., Chetry, D., Medhi, R. and Bose, J. 2002. Distribution of hoolock gibbon (Bunopithecus hoolock hoolock) in India and Bangladesh. Zoos' Print 18:969–976.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eudey, A. 1987. Action Plan for Asian Primate Conservation 1987–1991. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group.

    Google Scholar 

  • FSI. 2003. State of Forest Report. Derha Doon, India: Forest Survey of India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gittins, S.P. 1980. A survey of the Primates of Bangladesh. Project Report to the Forest Department of Bangladesh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gittins, S.P. 1984. The distribution and status of the hoolock gibbon in Bangladesh. In The Lesser Apes: Evolutionary and Behavioural Biology, H. Preuschoft, D.J. Chivers, W.Y. Brockelman and N. Creel (eds.), pp. 13–15. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gittins, S.P. and Akonda, A.W. 1982. What survives in Bangladesh? Oryx 16:275–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Groves, C.P. 1967. Geographic variation in the hoolock or white-browed gibbon (Hylobates hoolock Harlan, 1834). Folia Primatologica 7:276–283.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Groves, C.P. 1972. Systematics and phylogeny of gibbons. In Gibbon and Siamang. Vol. 1: Evolution, Ecology, Behavior, and Captive Maintenance, D.M. Rumbaugh (ed.), pp. 1–89. Basel: Karger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, A.K. 2005. Conservation of hoolock gibbon (Bunopithecus hoolock) in northeast India. Wildlife Institute of India and United States Fish and Wildlife Services Collaborative Project (No. 98210–2-G153).

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN 2008: 2008 Red List of Endangered Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 11 February 2009.

  • Kent, M. and Coker, P. 1994. Vegetation Description and Analysis: A Practical Approach. Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M.R.A. 1984. Endangered mammals of Bangladesh. Oryx 18:152–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M.R.A. 1985. Mammals of Bangladesh: A Field Guide. Dhaka: Nazma Khan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohnot, S.M., Southwick, C.H., Bhattacharjee, P.C. and Ferguson, A. 1995. Indo-US Primate Project Annual Report Year 04: 1998. Jodhpur: Primate Research Centre, 3rd C Road, Jodhpur 3 (Raj), India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molur, S., Walker, S., Islam, A., Miller, P., Srinivasulu, C., Nameer, P.O., Daniel, B.A. and Ravikumar, L. 2005. Conservation of Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock hoolock) in India and Bangladesh: Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (P.H.V.A.) Workshop Report, 2005. Coimbatore, India: Zoo Outreach Organization / CBSG South Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Molur, S., Brandon-Jones, D., Dittus, W., Eudey, A., Kumar, A., Singh, M., Feeroz, M.M., Chalise, M., Rriya, P. and Walker, S. 2003. Status of South Asian Primates: Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) Workshop Report, 2003. Coimbatore, India: Zoo Outreach Organization/CBSG South Asia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mootnick, A.R. and Groves, C.P. 2005. A new generic name for the Hoolock gibbon (Hylobatidae). International Journal of Primatology 26:971–976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller-Dombois, D. and Ellenberg, H. 1974. Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee, R.P. 1984. The ecology of hoolock gibbon (Hylobates hoolock) of Tripura, India. International Journal of Primatology 5:363.

    Google Scholar 

  • NRC. 1981. Techniques for the Study of Primate Population and Ecology. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddiqi, N.A. 1986. Gibbons (Hylobates hoolock) in the west Bhanugach reserved forest of Sylhet district, Bangladesh. Tigerpaper 13:29–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Struhsaker, T.T. 1997. Ecology of an African Rainforest: Logging in Kibale and the Conflict between Conservation and Exploitation. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilson, R.L. 1979. On the behavior of hoolock gibbons (Hylobates hoolock) during different seasons in Assam, India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 4:1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • WWF and ICIMOD. 2001. Ecoregion – Based Conservation in the Eastern Himalaya: Identifying important Areas for Biodiversity Conservation. Katmandu: WWF Nepal Program.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Indo-US Primate Project, the Great Ape Conservation Fund of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Primate Action Fund, Primate Conservation Inc., and Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation. Scientific advice was given by Prof. Charles Southwick, Prof. Irwin Bernstein, Mr. David A. Ferguson, Mr. Fred Bagley, Mr. William Konstant, and Dr. Rob Horwich. We are also thankful to Dr. Danielle Whittaker and Dr. Susan Lappan for their valuable comments on the manuscript, and for assistance with the figures. We are also thankful to all Principal Chief Conservators of Forests and Chief Conservators of Forests (Wildlife) of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura. Thanks to PCCF, Assam, and Mr. M.C. Malakar for giving us permission and logistical support for this work. We extend our sincere thanks to all the local forest officials and to our research team (Dr. A. Srivastava, Dr. D. Chetry, Dr. R. Medhi, Dr. P. Bujarboruah, Dr. P. Sarkar, Dr. J. Bose, Mr. U. Phukan, Mr. G. Banik, Mr. R. Nath, Mr. N. Das, Mr. L.S. Darney, Mr. A. Das, Mr. D. Borah, and Md. S.S.G. Ahmed). Without the support from the local villagers and field assistants this work would not have been possible.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jayanta Das .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Appendix

Appendix

The distribution of gibbons outside of protected areas in Assam. RF = Reserved Forest, PRF = proposed Reserved Forest, DCRF = District Council Reserved Forest, P = hoolock gibbons present, NS = not surveyed, A = hoolock gibbons absent. (?) = secondary information from local villagers suggests the presence of gibbons, but this could not be confirmed from direct sightings or calling records.

Division

District

 

RF/ PRF

Area (km2)

Gibbon status

Digboi

Tinsukia

1

Digboi E/B

0.70

P

2

Digboi W/B

9.29

P

3

Kotha

10.48

P

4

Tingkupani

35.52

P

5

Tipong

4.45

P

6

Tirap (1st Addn.)

30.25

P

7

Tirap

14.55

P

8

Upper Dehing (EB)

131.68

P

9

Upper Dehing (WB)

274.85

P

10

Dirak

30.42

P

11

Makumpani

4.83

P (?)

12

Bagapani

0.96

A

13

Namphai

20.48

A

14

Lekhapani

13.96

A

15

Paharpur

1.66

A

Sibsagar

Sibsagar

1

Dilli

30.30

P

2

Abhayapuri

67.36

P

3

Sapekhati

7.45

A

4

Solah (Addn)

6.83

A

5

Dirai

48.32

A

6

Geleki

59.25

A

Dibrugarh

Dibrugarh

1

Dihingmukh

47.27

A

2

Jakai

18.27

A

3

Jeypore

108.68

P

4

Namdang

18.57

A

5

Telpani

13.31

A

Jorhat

Jorhat

1

Dessai

27.97

A

2

Dessai Valley

174.48

P

3

Tiru Hills

58.59

A

Nagaon South

Nagaon

1

Doboka

117.41

P

2

Lumding

224.03

P

3

Hawainpur

18.92

A

4

Jamunamoudanga

14.71

A

5

Kaki (Pt.)

111.46

A

Doom Dooma

Tinsukia

1

Kakajan

23.46

P

2

Philobari

3.18

P

3

Takowani

5.03

P

4

Pengri

3.17

P

5

Doom Dooma

28.81

P

6

Buridihing N/B

15.17

P

7

Buridihing S/B

7.78

P

8

Tarani

20.39

P

9

Kundilkalia

72.84

P

10

Debang Valley PRF

35.64

P

11

Hahkhati

6.72

P

12

Kumsang

22.53

P

13

Mesaki

13.66

P

14

Holonghabi

5.20

A

15

Nalini

3.74

A

16

Dangori

9.19

A

17

Talpathar

1.80

A

18

Duarmara

6.53

A

19

Lakhipathar

1.05

A

20

Mohongpathar

4.66

A

21

Deopani

16.18

A

22

Halongaon

3.71

A

23

Kukurmara

3.65

A

24

Sadia Stn. N/B

23.31

A

25

Sadia Stn. S/B

4.51

A

K.A. West

Karbi Anglong

1

Dhansiri RF

70.39

P

2

Daldali RF

123.33

P

3

Disama RF

11.26

P

4

Englonggiri DCRF

 

P

5

Miyungdisa DCRF

 

P

6

Borlanfer DCRF

 

P

7

Hafjan PRF

 

P

8

Kaki RF

121.49

A

9

Hidipi DCRF

20.08

A

10

Jamuna DCRF

1.13

A

E.A.W.L.

Golaghat

1

Panbari RF

7.66

P

Assam State Zoo

Kamrup

1

Hengrabari RF

1.18

A

N.C. Hills

N.C. Hills

1

Barail RF

15.90

P

2

Khurimming RF

108.41

P

3

Lanting Mupa RF

493.35

P

4

Panimur PRF

 

P

5

Barail PRF

17.60

P

6

Doyong Plantation

 

A

Hamren

Karbi Anglong

1

Amsolong PRF

 

P

2

Balasore PRF

 

P

3

Umjakini PRF

 

P

4

Amreng RF

56.95

P

5

Rongkhong

33.79

A

6

Jokota

14.64

A

K.A. East

Karbi Anglong

1

Mikir Hills RF

299.79

P

2

Kalioni RF

209.79

P

3

Khonbamon DCRF

165.49

P

4

Nambor N/B RF

53.09

P

5

Nambor W/B RF

166.33

P

6

Jungthung RF

32.57

P

7

Patradisa DCRF

67.34

P

8

Longit DCRF

117.62

P

9

Haithapahar DCRF

54.39

P

10

Mahamaya DCRF

5.58

P

11

Borjuri PRF

214.88

P

12

Western Mikir Hills PRF

39.36

P

13

Langlakso PRF

534.68

P

14

Kaziranga PRF

33.88

P

15

Dolamora PRF

5.53

P

16

Kalapahar PRF

9.77

P

17

Bokajan PRF

9.81

P

18

Tikok PRF

25.89

P

19

Balasore PRF

 

A

20

Selabar

335.40

A

21

Sildharampur

21.58

A

22

Hidipi DCRF

20.08

A

23

Jamuna DCRF

1.13

A

24

Lahorijan PRF

36.08

A

Hailakandi

Hailakandi

1

Innerline RF

502.08

P

2

Katakhal RF

134.53

P

Goalpara

Dhubri

1

Bamundanga

2.29

A

2

Bandarmatha

 

A

3

Bordal

0.86

A

4

Dipalsang

2.77

A

5

Dhamar

1.61

A

6

Dipkai

1.93

A

7

Kumrakhali

8.85

A

8

Nakkati

2.00

A

9

Nalbari

1.66

A

10

Mogho

3.73

A

11

Saikiabhaga

1.68

A

12

Dashikata

16.85

A

13

Dewlee

1.90

A

14

Dwaraka

1.85

A

15

Gonbina

1.17

A

16

Matia

7.67

A

17

Nalanga

8.39

A

18

Randu

2.45

A

19

Rokhapara

1.96

A

20

Segunbari

2.38

A

21

Pancharatna

9.76

A

Goalpara

22

Ajajoar Hill

45.39

A

23

Barjhar

8.07

A

24

Chikebim

0.21

A

25

Dabli Hill

1.40

A

30

Pophanga

2.77

P

26

Gendabari

5.29

P (?)

27

Geradubi

0.78

A

28

Guriajhar

12.63

A

29

Paikan

7.11

A

31

Salpara

1.06

A

32

Zangrajansa

15.39

A

1

Kashumari (Pt-I) PRF

0.85

P

2

Kashumari (Pt-II) PRF

0.22

P

3

Khongkhal PRF

2.51

P

Nagaon

Nagaon Marigaon

1

Bagser RF

33.67

P

2

Deosur RF

5.87

P

3

Kamakhya RF

5.18

P

4

Kafitoli RF

2.92

P

5

Suang RF

26.45

P

6

Bamuni RF

1.55

A

7

Borpani RF

31.73

A

8

Hirapunja RF

2.28

A

9

Kukrakata RF

15.93

A

10

Lutumai RF

20.40

A

11

Pilkhana RF

1.64

A

12

South Diju RF

13.06

P

13

North Diju RF

10.02

P

14

Daboka (part) RF

43.82

NS

15

Jakota (1st addition) RF

1.39

NS

16

Kondil PRF

6.8

A

17

Deosur Hill PRF

0.68

P

 

18

Kholahat RF

61.64

P

19

Killing RF

4.45

P

20

Barbari RF

0.55

A

21

Dhuadoloni RF

0.05

A

22

Sonaikachi RF

53.03

A

23

Tetelia Boghra RF

18.07

A

Karimganj

Karimganj Cachar

1

Innerline RF

1136.96

P

2

Longai RF

21.20

P

3

Singla RF

19.20

P

4

Patharia RF

10.70

P

5

Badsahitila RF

75.13

A

6

Dohaliia RF

38.74

A

7

Tilbhum RF

17.95

A

  

8

North Cachar RF

37.90

P

Silchar

Cachar

1

Innerline RF

135.20

P

2

Barail RF

10.40

P

3

Katakhal RF

19.70

P

4

Upper Jiri RF

63.26

P

5

Sonai RF

35.95

A

6

Lower Jiri RF

36.43

NS

Golaghat

Golaghat

1

Diphu N/B

183.66

NS

2

Dayang

246.36

NS

3

Lower Doigrung

20.73

NS

4

Nambar (Pt.)

426.5

NS

5

Rengma

139.22

NS

6

Upper Doigrung

21.50

NS

7

Koko donga

44.41

NS

Kamrup East

Kamrup

1

Gorbhanga

114.61

P

2

Jorsal RF

12.56

P

3

Kuwasingh

9.98

P

4

Rani

43.69

P

5

Amchang

53.18

A

6

Aprichola

60.75

A

7

Chamata

0.27

A

8

Dhaniangaon

0.36

A

9

Fatasil

6.70

A

10

Gotanagar

1.71

A

11

Hengrabari (Pt)

4.98

A

12

Jalukbari

0.98

A

13

Morakdoal

14.27

A

14

Sarania Hills

0.08

A

15

Sildhar

0.51

A

16

Sonpara

2.21

A

17

South Kalaphar

0.70

A

18

Teteliguri

1.20

A

19

South Amchang

15.50

P

20

Khanapara

9.96

NS

21

Maliata

3.26

NS

Kamrup West

Kamrup South

1

Chandubi USF

2.00

P

2

Chaygaon RF

12.94

P

3

Kulsi RF

18.55

P

4

Pantan RF

112.85

P

5

Bogaikhas RF

246.69

P

6

Barodobha RF

4.34

P (?)

7

Barduar RF

72.39

P (?)

8

Gizang RF

34.74

P (?)

9

Luki RF

9.05

P (?)

10

Mtaikhar RF

16.86

P (?)

11

Barjuli RF

11.28

A

12

Dhuniagaon RF

0.37

A

13

Dimali RF

0.53

A

14

Dudhkhuri RF

0.93

A

15

Dampara Hill RF

1.93

A

16

Garubaldha RF

1.10

A

17

Ghoraputa RF

0.48

A

18

Gohaigurung RF

1.26

A

19

Jaipur RF

3.26

A

20

Jharikhuri RF

12.47

A

21

Khaksi Sikrabura RF

10.20

A

22

Khatajuli RF

1.10

A

23

Khatkhati Hill RF

2.49

A

24

Khurkhuri RF

0.66

A

25

Mayang Hills RF

21.39

A

26

Melghat RF

3.63

A

27

Milmilia RF

19.63

A

28

Moman RF

32.11

A

29

Mugakhal RF

1.29

A

30

Silmla Hills RF

1.26

A

31

Singra RF

3.78

A

32

Sursuria

3.90

A

33

Taraibari

3.19

A

34

Uttar Nampathar

13.78

A

35

Dakhin Nampathar

A

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Das, J., Biswas, J., Bhattacherjee, P.C., Mohnot, S. (2009). The Distribution and Abundance of Hoolock Gibbons in India. In: Whittaker, D., Lappan, S. (eds) The Gibbons. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88604-6_19

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics