The State government has made it clear that Hoolock Gibbons currently lodged at the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre, Tura will be shifted to the newly constructed Meghalaya State Zoo at Umtrew in Ri-Bhoi district.
The government today issued a clarification following the concerns raised by the citizens of Garo Hills regarding the proposed transfer of Hoolock Gibbons from the Wildlife Rescue Centre in Tura.
According to the clarification, the Meghalaya State Zoo at Umtree has already been granted recognition by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and essential infrastructure is nearly complete.
“That is how we are able to shift animals of the Phan Nonglait Park to the new zoo. Once the complete structure of manpower and management of the new zoo is in place, it will be made functional,” it said.
As regards proposed transfer of Hoolock Gibbons, the government clarified that, first of all, this relocation is proposed for the Gibbons from the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre, and not from the natural forests of Garo Hills.
It also said that the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre at Tura which has been functioning for long time, is not a natural forest habitat but only a rescue centre which does not have any approval or recognition from the CZA (Central Zoo Authority), and that keeping these animals in the rescue centre 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 a long time, they cannot be successfully rehabilitated and reintroduced into their natural forest habitat. In short, the facilities in the zoo at Umtrew are technically approved and recognised by CZA whereas Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre is not approved or recognised by CZA and the notion that Gibbons are in their natural habitat right now at the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre is completely false,” the government said.
“In this backdrop, the CZA had proposed to the State for transfer of Gibbons from the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre to different recognised zoos which had necessary housing facilities for the species,” it added.
According to the government, 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 Recognition of Zoo Rules 1992, amended in 2009 and 2013.
The 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 wellbeing.
It further clarified that the Nokma of Silchotchigre has already withdrawn the permission granted to the animal rescue centre and has also sent a letter to the chief minister on June 14 on the matter.
