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Hoolock Gibbon Conservation in Bangladesh

M. Anwarul Islam
Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh,

S. B. Muzaffar
Department of Biology, College of Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Mostafa M. Feeroz
Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

M. Mofizul Kabir
Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

S. Begum
Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury
Department of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Maizdi, Noakhali, Bangladesh

M. Abdul Aziz
Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Suprio Chakma
Wildlife Trust of Bangladesh, Cosmos Centre, 69/1 New Circular Road, Malibagh, Dhaka 1217, Bangladesh

Israt Jahan
Wildlife Trust of Bangladesh, Cosmos Centre, 69/1 New Circular Road, Malibagh, Dhaka 1217, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is a globally threatened species, and in Bangladesh it is critically endangered. At present, the entire national population is estimated to be only around 350 individuals. These gibbons are restricted to very few viable habitats and are vulnerable to continuing habitat depletion. Many populations face severe habitat loss and fragmentation leading to population extirpation. The small populations (less than ten individuals) are particularly on the verge of extinction. This only ape of Bangladesh can thus be regarded as being in a crisis situation that needs an immediate conservation program for its lasting future. Carefully planned management, protection of habitats, management of people and their activities, legislation and its enforcement, and training of manpower to implement key actions are recommended.

Keywords: Hoolock gibbon, Conservation, Bangladesh

Location: Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Gibbon

Objectives:

Under the given scenario, this analysis summarizes the current conservation status of hoolock gibbons and highlights future needs for continued and long-term survival of this critically endangered lesser ape in Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Status and distribution Very recent studies reported a total population close to 300 individuals comprising 82 groups in 37 field sites in the country (Islam et al., 2006). In addition, there may be 50-100 individuals in the remote areas of the southeast hilly areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts, but this has not been confirmed due to inaccessibility of these sites (Islam et al., 2006; Walker et al., 2009). The Lawachara National Park and adjoining areas of West Bhanugach Reserve Forest in the northeast are known to support the largest and continuous population comprising of 59 gibbons in 16 groups (Islam et al., 2004, 2006; Österberg, 2007). However, the largest stronghold of gibbons comprising 84 individuals in 23 groups was recorded at Karnafuli in Kaptai in the southeastern region of the country (Islam et al., 2006). The population trends of gibbons observed over recent years in Bangladesh and northeastern India indicated a very rapid decline in numbers (Walker et al., 2009). In Bangladesh, hoolocks have declined from 3,000 (Gittins and Akonda, 1982) to 200 individuals in ten or so years (Feeroz and Islam, 1992). Eighteen of the 22 gibbon populations reported earlier (Feeroz and Islam, 1992) consisted of less than ten individuals. These isolated and fragmented populations cannot survive due to their small population size and pressure on their habitat (Molur et al., 2005; Österberg, 2007). Isolated forest fragments holding a few gibbon groups of about one to four individuals each are insufficient for long-term survival (Molur et al., 2005; Walker et al., 2009). During the last 15 or so years, eight hoolock populations have been extirpated in Bangladesh, primarily due to habitat loss (Islam et al., 2006; Molur et al., 2005). There were seven groups of hoolocks comprising 19 individuals in Chunati in the early nineties (Ahsan, 1984; Feeroz and Islam, 1992), but that local population had become extinct by 2005 (Molur et al., 2005). Given the current effect of human impacts, a population and habitat viability model predicts about 95% decline of the gibbon population in Bangladesh over the next two decades (Molur et al., 2005; Walker et al., 2009).

Source of Information: Gibbon Journal Nr. 6 – 2011

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

As habitat loss and destruction are the most important factors responsible for the decline of hoolock populations, a firm commitment from the government is urgently needed for habitat protection and restoration. Habitat loss must be arrested in terms of quantity and quality through multi-species plantations, checking for, and abolishment of, illegal felling, and other conservation measures. In addition, well planned and long-term habitat restoration programs should be initiated immediately for degraded gibbon habitats. In tandem with an attitude change in the government, there is a need to improve habitats by planting a suitable combination of food trees. Furthermore, scientific monitoring of gibbon habitats and populations are recommended as a priority to identify actions needed and to evaluate management outcomes for future improved conservation interventions. Previous efforts in awareness raising (Islam et al., 2006) showed that people living in and around protected areas can be made to understand that the presence of certain wildlife species, such as hoolock gibbons, may indicate good quality habitat. Of the known populations, 17 have less than ten individuals and may not be viable due to their small population size and anthropogenic pressure on their habitats. Translocations of these small populations to larger, viable habitats through careful planned and standard guidelines are recommended.

Knowledge Management: Journal