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UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper 1, question 22

Topic: Environment and ecology

Q22

With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

  1. A Sanctuary in North-east India is home to this ape species listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

  2. They have specialized brachiation and can easily swing between trees.

  3. They possess a strong and heavy build like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile tree climbers.

Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) 1 and 2Correct answer
  3. (c) 2 and 3
  4. (d) 3 only

Solution.

Answer: (b) 1 and 2

  1. Statement 1 is correct: the Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Jorhat, Assam (North-east India) protects the Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), which is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
  2. Statement 2 is correct: like all gibbons (lesser apes), Western Hoolock Gibbons have elongated forelimbs and ball-and-socket wrist joints adapted for specialized brachiation through the forest canopy.
  3. Statement 3 is incorrect: gibbons are small, slender, lightweight lesser apes (weighing 6 to 9 kg), unlike great apes such as gorillas.