Who We Are
The broad aim of the project is the conservation of the Western Hoolock Gibbon (ranked amongst the most endangered primate species in the world, IUCN, 2010) in the Northeastern Indian states. The Huro Programme actions include wildlife laws implementation, confiscation, habitat protection initiatives, research projects, rehabilitation and reintroduction programs. Today HURO shares its activities between its rehabilitation center, its local medium school and the chosen reintroduction sites and patrolling areas. We believe that our action can be made durable only if we success to reinforce Western Hoolock Gibbon population by conducting reintroduction according to IUCN criterion possibly supported by wild to wild translocation.
Our Story by Roopak Goswami
How We Began:
Our Journey ...
From the bustling streets of Paris to the verdant forests of Western Meghalaya, few could have envisioned the remarkable journey of Florian Magne, a young Frenchman driven by an unyielding passion for wildlife conservation. His path led him from the iconic landmarks of France to the mystical forests of India, where the Western Hoolock Gibbon, the only Indian ape, was on the brink of extinction.
"I was still a graduate student when I left for South Asia in 2006, then to Western Meghalaya in 2007, following gibbons conservation issues," Florian recalls. "I first focused on Pileated Gibbons in Cambodia in 2006 before being advised to turn my attention to Hoolock Gibbons. For Hoolock, I had a choice between Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India. India appeared to be the best place."
Today, Florian oversees the HURO Programme, a gibbon conservation initiative in the Garo Hills. HURO stands for Gibbon in Garo language. Originally a French project, it is now a Franco-Indian project. It runs the Sonja Rescue Wildlife Centre in Tura. The centre was in the news recently after the state government wanted to relocate the gibbons from there to the state zoo but it was resolved after Chief Minister Conrad Sangma intervened and said there was no such decision taken to relocate hoolock gibbons from their current location.
The Birth of the HURO Programme
In 2005, following a very alarming Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (Hoolock Gibbon PHVA 2005), the HURO Programme was created in France by a group of experts, led by the then-20-year-old Florian. "The goal was simple: although wildlife laws and guidelines for the species' survival were in place, nothing was done on the ground to implement effective conservation efforts. Wildlife conservation worldwide is a story of audacity," he explains.
"Wonderful conservation efforts and successes were built out of thin air, carried out by both international and local stakeholders, and made successful through genuine human efforts," Florian says. "The HURO Programme is no different from our distinguished precursors. We established the world’s first rescue center for the species in 2009 in West Garo Hills, and we were soon successful in saving and rehabilitating Hoolock Gibbons within their home range."
A Cultural Symphony
The initial years, from 2008 to 2020, were filled with significant progress. The HURO Programme not only rescued and rehabilitated gibbons but also established a free school for underprivileged children in 2010 and began the first release attempts in 2016.
Today, in July 2024, the situation of the Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), the only Indian ape, remains precarious. Confined to the heart of Northeast India, their numbers have plummeted from over a lakh individual in the 1970s to less than 10,000 today, a loss of over 90% of their population in half a century. This alarming decline is particularly concerning for a flagship and umbrella species like the Hoolock Gibbon.
"But one region in Northeast India presents exceptional criteria: The Garo Hills in East Meghalaya," Florian notes. "The land of the A’chik community has always regarded Hoolock Gibbons as both a deity and a major cultural component, preserving them and their habitat. If modernity eroded these traditions in the early 2000s, today we see a renewed attachment to Hoolock Gibbons among both younger and older generations. They are a source of Garo pride and a deep need for identity markers."
Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic posed an unprecedented challenge. "In March 2020, I was asked to turn back, pack up, and leave. My answer was simple: No way. No way would I abandon 12 years of efforts, the rescued gibbons, the kids, and the dedicated team working with us. Instead, I stood my ground," Florian recounts. Amidst the crisis, Florian and his wife decided to turn to their faith and bring new life into the world. Their daughter, Leopoldine, was born in February 2021, a symbol of hope and resilience.
Building Strong Foundations
Today, strong foundations have been built, but much work remains. "Such a conservation initiative is a human story. Over the last 15 years, HURO has capitalized on exceptional people," Florian emphasizes. Key figures include Maneka Gandhi, James K Sangma, Besida Ch Marak, (who received the first international award for Gibbon Conservation from IUCN in May), Pakseng A Sangma, co-founder of the programme in Garo Hills, and Dr. Susan Cheyne, vice-chair of the Section of Small Ape - IUCN.
"The story of HURO is their story. And their stories are contributing to making history for the region and the species," Florian says.