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 :

Correct Option The correct option is 1 and 2. [as per provisional answerkey] Explanation The Hoolock Gibbon is the only ape species found in India. They are primarily distributed in the tropical and subtropical forests of Northeast India, particularly in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. They are arboreal creatures, spending the majority of their lives in the upper canopy of forests. - Statement 1 is Correct: The Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam is a dedicated protected area specifically known for its population of this species. - Statement 2 is Correct: Gibbons are renowned for brachiation, a specialized form of arboreal locomotion where they swing from branch to branch using only their arms. Their long arms, hook-like hands, and ball-and-socket wrist joints allow for high-speed movement through the canopy. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: Unlike gorillas, which are "Great Apes" with a massive, heavy build and primarily terrestrial habits, Hoolock Gibbons are "Lesser Apes." They possess a slender, lightweight build and lack a tail. Their small body size is an evolutionary adaptation for agile movement and brachiation in the forest canopy. Key Takeaway: Western Hoolock Gibbons are Endangered lesser apes characterized by a slender build and specialized brachiation, found exclusively in the Northeast Indian landscape.

IAS 2026 — Environment & Ecology Environment & Ecology

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

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.
They have specialized brachiation and can easily swing between trees.
They possess a strong and heavy build like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile tree climbers.

Select the answer using the code given below :

Official previous-year question

Verified 2 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B1 and 2
C2 and 3
D3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is 1 and 2.

[as per provisional answerkey]

Explanation

The Hoolock Gibbon is the only ape species found in India. They are primarily distributed in the tropical and subtropical forests of Northeast India, particularly in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. They are arboreal creatures, spending the majority of their lives in the upper canopy of forests.

Statement 1 is Correct: The Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam is a dedicated protected area specifically known for its population of this species.
Statement 2 is Correct: Gibbons are renowned for brachiation, a specialized form of arboreal locomotion where they swing from branch to branch using only their arms. Their long arms, hook-like hands, and ball-and-socket wrist joints allow for high-speed movement through the canopy.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Unlike gorillas, which are "Great Apes" with a massive, heavy build and primarily terrestrial habits, Hoolock Gibbons are "Lesser Apes." They possess a slender, lightweight build and lack a tail. Their small body size is an evolutionary adaptation for agile movement and brachiation in the forest canopy.

Key Takeaway: Western Hoolock Gibbons are Endangered lesser apes characterized by a slender build and specialized brachiation, found exclusively in the Northeast Indian landscape.

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Correct Option

The correct option is 1 and 2.

[as per provisional answerkey]

Explanation

Statement 1 is Correct: The Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam is a dedicated protected area specifically known for its population of this species.
Statement 2 is Correct: Gibbons are renowned for brachiation, a specialized form of arboreal locomotion where they swing from branch to branch using only their arms. Their long arms, hook-like hands, and ball-and-socket wrist joints allow for high-speed movement through the canopy.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Unlike gorillas, which are "Great Apes" with a massive, heavy build and primarily terrestrial habits, Hoolock Gibbons are "Lesser Apes." They possess a slender, lightweight build and lack a tail. Their small body size is an evolutionary adaptation for agile movement and brachiation in the forest canopy.

Key Takeaway: Western Hoolock Gibbons are Endangered lesser apes characterized by a slender build and specialized brachiation, found exclusively in the Northeast Indian landscape.