The injured hoolock gibbon. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, May 5: This ape was possibly monkeying around when it fell from a tree six days ago, but it will surely land the two-year-old male hoolock gibbon on the operation table tomorrow.

Doctors from the College of Veterinary Science at Khanapara here will operate upon the hoolock gibbon, which injured its hind and forelimbs after falling from a tree at Nokrek biosphere reserve, 2km from Tura Peak, in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.

People staying close to the reserve yesterday brought the animal to the Assam state zoo as it has good facilities and expertise for treating animals and is the nearest animal care centre.

Doctors from the College of Veterinary Science today inspected the animal and carried out an X-ray. They will be assisted by doctors from the Assam state zoo during the operation. “The injury is severe and all precautions are being taken,” a senior official of the zoo said today. The hospital at the Assam state zoo, which is supported by the Central Zoo Authority, operates on injured animals. “Every operation is a challenge as we also get to know and learn many news aspects of tackling diseases,” the official said.

A hoolock gibbon has long forearms, white brow and no tail and makes a long call like hoo-ku, hoo-ku. It has been classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and is a Schedule I animal. The Nokrek biosphere reserve gained international recognition in May last year when Unesco added it to its list of World Network of Biosphere Reserves.