Shillong: Rambo is now in the wild in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills after being stranded in North Garo Hills.

An endangered slow loris, or Nycticebus bengalensis, it was named after West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Ram Singh.

Recently, Singh, along with members of the Huro Programme, released the slow loris at Rangwalkamgre Community reserve forest near Babadam under West Garo Hills district.

The animal was found stranded at Resubelpara in the North Garo Hills and rescued by Xavi Xavier N. Sangma, who informed the team members of the Huro Programme, who came forward to take the animal.

Pakseng Sangma, the manager of the programme, informed that it was a wildlife NGO based in Garo hills, which has been working since 2008 for the protection and conservation of hoolock gibbons in particular and other wild animals in general.

The NGO brought it to its centre at Silchotchigre.

"In view of the slow loris being considered as a schedule 1 animal whose icon status is categorised as vulnerable, the in-house volunteer veterinarian decided that to minimise this healthy animal's exposure to various diseases by being in close company with humans, the animal had to be released as soon as possible," Sangma said.

Accordingly, a small programme was organised at the residence of the Nokma of Rangwalkamgre village where people of neighbouring villages also attended.

The members of the NGO sensitised the village people of the impending doom and the necessity to conserve wildlife and its habitat in the region.

At the gathering, deputy commissioner Ram Singh pledged his support to the good cause and lauded the relationship and sense of belonging by the Achiks to their land.

Members of the Huro Programme said the slow loris was named Rambo after the deputy commissioner for his support and concern for wildlife and environment, which is facing its biggest challenge to survive at the moment.

"We will monitor the animal to see if it can adapt to its new surroundings," a team member said.