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The zoo is the first lesser apes’ conservation-cum-breeding centre in the country fully funded by The centre is fully funded by Central Zoo Authority (CZA) of India, he added.
Itanagar Zoo had earned the distinction after a female gibbon was brought from Roing in Lower Dibang Valley district in 2008 and named ‘Mishmi Baido’ (Mishmi sister). It had had given birth to a baby gibbon on 07.10.15. Its partner was named ‘Corneal Opacity’ because of his defective eyes, according to park curator Raya Flago said, adding their population has been rising steadily sin then.
Hoolock gibbon is the only primate species in the country and the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh, where its population is around 1500 making it highly endangered species, Falgo said, adding “It is our prime duty to save this beautiful animal from extinction.”
Hoolocks are the second-largest of the gibbons, after the Siamang and reach a size of 60 to 90 cm and weigh 6 to 9 kg. The sexes are about the same size, but they differ considerably in coloration: males are black-colored with remarkable white brows, while females have a grey-brown fur, which is darker at the chest and neck. White rings around their eyes and mouths give their faces a mask-like appearance. The name Hoolock, as per Oxford English dictionary, is from the Assamese (holou) or related languages.