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Hoolock Gibbon UPSC- Characteristics, Conservation, IUCN Status and Everything You need to know!
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Hoolock Gibbons are tailless apes located in North East India, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland. Western Hoolock Gibbon and Eastern Hoolock Gibbon are the two subspecies that make up this group. In terms of their genetic make-up and coat colour, the two species can be easily distinguished from one another.
The Hoolock Gibbon is one of the important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It is a part of the Environment subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-III syllabus. It is also a part of the General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.
Hoolock Gibbons
In this article, we shall study the Hoolock Gibbon in detail. The UPSC aspirants can take the help of Testbook's UPSC CSE Coaching. Also, study other important topics related to UPSC IAS Exams with Testbook!
Click on the link to download the Environment Notes for UPSC!
About Hoolock Gibbon
- Hoolock gibbons are medium-sized primates found primarily in India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. These animals are known to live in tropical evergreen forests and are commonly found near rivers. They are omnivorous and survive by eating fruits, insects, and leaves.
- These nocturnal animals have distinct white brows and are mostly black or gray-brown in colour. They are very territorial, and they communicate through singing and other vocal calls.
- The hoolock species are incredible runners, reaching speeds of up to 34 mph. Females typically give birth to one offspring after a gestation period of approximately 230 days.
- It takes about three years for the offspring to become independent and six years for them to reach sexual maturity. Continue reading to learn more about these gibbons.
Click on the link to download the notes on the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity for UPSC!
Quick Overview of Hoolock Gibbon
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Quick Facts of Hoolock Gibbon |
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Hoolock Gibbon Scientific name |
Hoolock hoolock |
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Other names |
Hoolock gibbon, White-browed gibbon |
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Range |
Bangladesh, Burma. India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura) SW. China (W. Yunnan) |
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Habitat |
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Locomotion |
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Behavioral characteristics |
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Habitat and Behavior of Hoolock Gibbon
- The Hoolock Gibbon is the second-largest gibbon after the siamang. The gibbons are arboreal and active during the day.
- The Hoolock Gibbons have monogamous relationships that also serve as territorial markers. Their calls aid in the location of family members and deter challengers to their territory. The gibbons’ diet consists of fruits, insects, and leaves.
- The hoolock gibbon is found south of the Brahmaputra River and north and east of the Dibang Rivers.
- In India, it can be found in the northeastern states of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura.
Also, know about Ramsar Sites in India here!
Characteristics of Hoolock Gibbon
Sure, here are the characteristics of Hoolock gibbons in points:
- They are the second-largest of the gibbons, after the siamang.
- They reach a size of 60 to 90 cm and weigh 6 to 9 kg.
- Both genders are about the same size. But they differ considerably in coloration.
- Males are black-colored with remarkable white brows.
- Females have grey-brown fur, which is darker at the chest and neck.
- White rings around their eyes and mouths give their faces a mask-like appearance.
- They are diurnal and arboreal, brachiating through the trees with their long arms.
- They live together in monogamous pairs, which stake out a territory.
- Their calls serve to locate family members and ward off other gibbons from their territory.
- Their diet consists mainly of fruits, insects, and leaves.
- They are found in the rainforests of India and China.
- They are an endangered species, due to habitat loss and hunting.
Click on the link to download the notes on the Conservation of Biodiversity for UPSC!
Breeding and lifecycle
- Young Hoolocks are born with milky white or buff-colored hair after a 7-month gestation period. Males’ hair darkens and turns black after about 6 months, whereas females’ hair remains buff-colored throughout their lives.
- They reach full maturity and their final coloration after 8-9 years. In the wild, they have a life expectancy of about 25 years.
Classification of Hoolock Gibbon
Over the past few years, gibbons have undergone a number of classification changes. Except for the siamang, all gibbons have traditionally grouped into the Western Hoolock Gibbon and Eastern Hoolock Gibbon.
Western Hoolock Gibbon
Western Hoolock Gibbon
- Found in parts of northeastern India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
- Generally smaller in size compared to the Eastern Hoolock Gibbon.
- Males have a distinctive white or pale gray brow band.
- They have a loud and melodious call, often referred to as "singing."
- Feed on a variety of fruits, leaves, and insects.
- Live in small family groups consisting of a mated pair and their offspring.
- Face threats due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting.
Eastern Hoolock Gibbon
Eastern Hoolock Gibbon
- Found in northeastern India, Myanmar, and China.
- Slightly larger in size compared to the Western Hoolock Gibbon.
- Males have a darker coloration with a black or dark brown brow band.
- They also have a unique vocalization, often described as a series of whoops.
- Primarily feed on fruits and leaves.
- Live in small family groups, similar to the Western Hoolock Gibbon.
- Face similar threats of habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting.
Difference between Eastern and Western Hoolock Gibbon
The Chindwin River in western Myanmar, which flows into the Irrawaddy, separates both Hoolock Gibbon species.
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Parameter |
Eastern Hoolock Gibbon |
Western Hoolock Gibbon |
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Scientific Name |
Hoolock leuconedys |
Hoolock hoolock |
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Geographical Range |
Northeast India, Myanmar, and China |
Northeast India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar |
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Coat Color |
Mostly black with white brows in males; brownish in females |
Mostly black with white brows in males; brownish in females |
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Crest |
Prominent dark-colored crest on the forehead |
Light-colored or absent crest on the forehead |
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Habitat |
Primary and secondary forests, mixed evergreen forests, and subtropical broadleaf forests |
Subtropical and tropical rainforests, evergreen and deciduous forests, and hilly areas |
Click on the link to download the notes on the Causes of Biodiversity Loss for UPSC!
Hoolock Gibbon IUCN Status
- In India, both species are listed on Schedule 1 of the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972.
- The western hoolock is listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Redlist, while the eastern hoolock is listed as Vulnerable, and populations of both species have been declining due to habitat destruction in various forms and hunting.
- Western hoolock gibbon: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies it as Endangered.
- Eastern hoolock gibbon: The IUCN Redlist classifies it as Vulnerable.
The population of Hoolock Gibbon
- Western hoolock gibbon populations has declined by about 90% in the last 30 years, and it is now one of the world’s most endangered 25 primate species.
- The western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is found in India, eastern Bangladesh, and northwestern Myanmar west of the Chindwin River.
- Hoolock Gibbon has less than 2600 individuals in India, predominantly in Assam, and 200-300 in Bangladesh, making the species globally endangered.
Click on the link to download the notes on the Biodiversity Report for UPSC!
Threats to Hoolock Gibbon
Hoolock gibbons are facing many threats, including the following:
- Hoolock gibbons are forest-dependent animals. They need large areas of continuous forest to survive. But, their habitat is being destroyed by logging, mining, and agricultural expansion.
- Hoolock gibbons are hunted for their meat and for their body parts, which are used in traditional medicine.
- Hoolock gibbons are sometimes captured and sold as pets. Bu, they do not do well in captivity, and they often die soon after being captured.
- Climate change is also a threat to hoolock gibbons. As the climate changes, the forests that they live in are becoming more fragmented and less productive. This is making it harder for hoolock gibbons to find food and raise their young ones.
- Encounters with humans can result in conflict, as the gibbons may raid crops or fruit trees. This can lead to killing by farmers, further endangering the species.
Click on the link to download the notes on the Difference between National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve for UPSC!
Conservation of Hoolock Gibbon
Creating protected areas like national parks and sanctuaries provides a safe home for Hoolock gibbons.
- The first site is the Pauk Sa Mountain Landscape in northern Arakan Yoma. It focuses on community-based conservation of the species in an unprotected area.
- The second location is the Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range Sanctuary, which collaborates with both local communities.
- The Hoollongapar Reserve Forest in the Jorhat District of Assam was made a Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary by the Government of Assam in 1997.
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Protected Area |
States |
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Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range Sanctuary |
Protected area in Myanmar |
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Hoollongapar Reserve Forest |
Assam |
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Assam |
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Hoolock Gibbon - FAQs
Where can you find a hoolock gibbon in India?
The eastern hoolock gibbon is found in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, as well as in southern China and northeast Myanmar.
Why are hoolock gibbons endangered species?
The hoolock gibbon is an endangered species due to habitat damage and loss, as well as habitat fragmentation, shrinkage, and hunting.
What is the hoolock gibbon's scientific name?
The scientific names for both the Western and Eastern Hoolock Gibbons, are Hoolock hoolock and Hoolock leuconedys respectively.
What is the significance of the hoolock gibbon?
The hoolock gibbon can also serve as an essential flagship species for biodiversity conservation in the forests that they occupy because they are highly charismatic and, as apes, are easy for humans to relate to, and by safeguarding them in their natural habitats.
Hoolock gibbon found in which national park?
The Hoolock Gibbon can be found in Assam's Kaziranga National Park.