SHILLONG, June 19: In a boost to wildlife conservation efforts in Meghalaya, the State Zoo has recorded the birth of a Stump-tailed macaque, the first time the vulnerable primate species has successfully bred at the facility.
Zoo authorities said the newborn is healthy and is being cared for by its mother, while veterinarians continue to keep a close watch on its development.
The birth follows the arrival of a breeding pair from Aizawl Zoological Park in Mizoram under an animal exchange programme. Officials said the successful breeding is an indication that the animals have settled well in their new habitat and adapted to the climatic and environmental conditions of Shillong.
Considered vulnerable to extinction, the Stump-tailed macaque is under increasing pressure in the wild due to shrinking habitats, fragmentation of forests and other human-induced disturbances.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife & Biodiversity) and Chief Wildlife Warden D. Sathiyan said the development reflects the sustained efforts being made towards scientific wildlife management and conservation in the state.
He noted that such achievements not only contribute to species conservation but also help educate the public about the importance of protecting wildlife and biodiversity.
