NEW DELHI: A golden langur was electrocuted by an exposed electrical wire in Kuziapara, Bakhlagava, Bongaigaon district. This marks the fourth such incident this month, with three other golden langurs having also succumbed to electrocution from uninsulated electric cables in the region.
Locals believe the group of langurs had ventured into the area from the nearby Kakoijana Reserve Forest in search of food. This tragic event has raised serious concerns over the safety of wildlife in the region particularly for the endangered golden langurs who continue to face the threat of electrocution from poorly maintained electric wires.
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The perilous situation facing Assam’s endangered golden langurs has been highlighted by a series of electrocution incidents in December 2024. Within a single week, three rare primates died due to electrocution in Bongaigaon and Kokrajhar districts where uninsulated power lines pose a growing threat to wildlife.
The first incident occurred on December 7 in Nayagaon, Kokrajhar. An infant golden langur was electrocuted while moving through tree branches. Witnesses reported that the injured infant fell to the ground only to be retrieved by its distressed mother. Despite her efforts, the infant succumbed to its injuries. The carcass was later discovered on December 10 by Dr. Joydeep Shil who is a primatologist from the Primate Research Centre North East India.
On December 8, another golden langur died of electrocution in the Soulmari area of Bongaigaon. Just two days later, on December 10, a female golden langur met a similar fate near the Sidalsati market in the Thakurani Khanapara area of the same district. This incident left behind an orphaned infant, intensifying concerns for the vulnerable species’ survival.
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Golden langurs are found only in the Indo-Bhutan region and are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and now uninsulated power lines are major threats to their survival. Conservationists are calling for urgent measures to prevent further losses.
The recurring electrocution incidents underscore the urgent need for action to protect these endangered primates. Conservationists emphasize the importance of insulating power lines and implementing safety measures to prevent wildlife casualties. Enhanced monitoring and prompt maintenance of electrical infrastructure are crucial steps to safeguard the golden langurs and other wildlife in the region.