7 rescued Golden Langurs released into the wild at Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park

Seven endangered Golden Langurs rescued from an alleged international wildlife trafficking network have been successfully released back into the wild at Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park after undergoing rehabilitation and scientific monitoring, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah announced on Tuesday.
Sharing the update on social media platform X, the minister said the rescued primates had completed the rehabilitation process and were found fit for release by wildlife experts and veterinary teams.

“I am happy to inform that the seven Golden Langurs have now been successfully released back into their natural habitat at Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park after undergoing rescue, rehabilitation and careful scientific monitoring,” Mallabaruah said.

He described the release as a significant milestone in Assam’s wildlife conservation efforts and said it reflected the coordinated work of forest officials, wildlife experts, enforcement agencies and local communities.

“Their return to the wild is a testament to the coordinated efforts of everyone involved in their rescue and rehabilitation. This also sends a strong message to wildlife criminals that Assam has zero tolerance for poaching and wildlife trafficking,” the minister added. The seven langurs were among eight endangered Golden Langurs rescued during a Special Task Force (STF) operation conducted in Chirang district earlier this year. One of the rescued animals died despite efforts to save it.

According to officials, the STF, assisted by Sidli Police, launched a late-night operation along National Highway-27 in the Sidli area of Chirang district following specific intelligence inputs. The operation led to the dismantling of an alleged international wildlife trafficking network and the arrest of nine suspected traffickers, including a Bangladeshi national.
Authorities recovered eight Golden Langurs during the operation. The species is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and is considered one of the world’s most endangered primates.

Following the rescue, the surviving langurs were placed under the care of wildlife experts and veterinary teams for rehabilitation, with their health and behaviour closely monitored before they were cleared for release. The animals have now been reintroduced into Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, which spans more than 316 square kilometres across Chirang and Kokrajhar districts in the Bodoland Territorial Region. The park forms part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve and provides habitat for several rare and endangered species, including the Golden Langur.