Western hoolock gibbon

The western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is a primate from the Hylobatidae (gibbon) family. The species is found in Assam, Bangladesh and in Myanmar west of the Chindwin River.

Classification
Mootnick and Groves stated that hoolock gibbons do not belong in the genus Bunopithecus, and placed them in a new genus, Hoolock. This genus was argued to contain two distinct species which were previously thought to be subspecies: Hoolock hoolock and Hoolock leuconedys.

Habitat
In India and Bangladesh it is found where there is contiguous canopy, broad-leaved, wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The species is an important seed disperser; its diet includes mostly ripe fruits, with some flowers, leaves and shoots.

Conservation
There are numerous threats to western hoolock gibbons in the wild, and are now entirely dependent on human action for their survival. Threats include habitat encroachment by humans, forest clearance for tea cultivation, the practice of jhuming (slash-and-burn cultivation), hunting for food and “medicine”, capture for trade, and forest degradation.

Over the last 30-40 years, western hoolock gibbon numbers are estimated to have dropped from more than 100,000 (Assam alone was estimated to have around 80,000 in the early 1970s) to less than 5,000 individuals (a decline of more than 90%). It is considered to be one of the 25 most endangered primates.

Diet
Hoolock gibbons mainly feed on leafs and flower buds from the forest floor, but fresh fruits are an important part of their diet as well.