Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah has announced the successful release of seven endangered Golden Langurs into the wild at Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park after they underwent rescue, rehabilitation and scientific monitoring following an alleged wildlife trafficking attempt.
Sharing the development on X, the minister said the rescued primates had completed a carefully supervised rehabilitation programme before being reintroduced into their natural habitat. He stated that the release followed comprehensive health assessments and behavioural evaluations conducted by wildlife experts to ensure the animals were fit for survival in the wild.
Mallabaruah described the successful reintroduction as a significant milestone in Assam's wildlife conservation efforts. He credited the achievement to the coordinated efforts of the Forest Department, wildlife experts, law enforcement agencies and local communities, whose collective work made the rehabilitation and release possible.
The seven langurs were among eight endangered Golden Langurs rescued earlier this year during a major anti-wildlife trafficking operation carried out by the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police in Chirang district. One of the rescued animals, however, died despite receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation support.
The rescue operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs. STF personnel from Guwahati, with assistance from Sidli Police, conducted a late-night raid along National Highway-27 in Chirang district, leading to the dismantling of an alleged international wildlife trafficking network.
During the operation, police arrested nine suspected traffickers, including a Bangladeshi national, and rescued the eight Golden Langurs. The species is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and is recognised as one of the world's most endangered primates.
Following the rescue, the surviving langurs remained under the care of veterinary teams and wildlife specialists, who closely monitored their recovery, health and behavioural adaptation before certifying them suitable for release into the wild.
The rehabilitated langurs have now been released into Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, a biodiversity-rich protected area spread across Chirang and Kokrajhar districts in the Bodoland Territorial Region, marking another important step in the conservation of the endangered species.
