Status Of Western Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock Hoolock In The Kanghmun Village Safety Reserve Forest Of Mamit District, Mizoram, India

The present population status survey of Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) was carried out at 10 specific localities in Kanghmun Village Safety Reserve Forest from November 2012 to March 2013 based on information gathered from the forest department and local inhabitants. The majority of the Gibbon groups (5 groups) was recorded by direct observations and only 1 group recorded by indirect (call count) observations. We recorded a total of 19 individuals in the 6 family groups during our population status survey. Of the total 19 individuals , 6 (31.57%) were adult males, 6 (31.57%) were adult females, 2 (10.52%) were sub-adults, 2 (10.52%) were juveniles, 3 (15.78%) were infants. The immature class formed by sub-adults, juveniles and infants include 7 (36.84%) of the total population. We estimated the average group size to be at 3.16 individuals ranging from 2 to 4 individuals. The estimated adult sex ratio (male: female) was 1:1. The Jhum cultivation (Shifting cultivation) is the main factor leading to the destruction and fragmentation of Gibbon habitat