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Gibbons Shun Bridges: Realignment Urged for Sanctuary
23 Sep
Summary
- Artificial canopy bridges saw minimal use by western hoolock gibbons.
- Researchers recorded only three gibbon crossings despite numerous approaches.
- Shifting the railway line outside the sanctuary is deemed essential.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) researchers have renewed calls to reroute a 1.65km railway line that bisects Assam's Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary. Recent studies conducted since February-March 2025 indicate that endangered western hoolock gibbons have largely ignored artificial canopy bridges designed to reconnect their fragmented habitat. Despite 54 approaches, only three crossings were documented over 932 mornings and 477 afternoons.
The railway, established in 1887, divides the sanctuary and isolates gibbon families. The artificial bridges, while attracting other primates like macaques and langurs, proved largely ineffective for gibbons, whose arboreal nature makes crossing canopy gaps of up to 50 meters difficult. Previous attempts with rigid iron bridges also failed.
WII researchers emphasize that shifting the railway line outside the sanctuary is the only durable solution. This measure is particularly critical as railway infrastructure expands, with plans for track doubling further exacerbating habitat fragmentation. Realignment would enhance conservation efforts and potentially facilitate railway development outside protected areas.
