Rescued Yongmu, python handed over to Zoo
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 15 2022: Volunteers of Joint Co-ordination Committee on Wildlife & Biodiversity (JCCWB), Manipur rescued a Yongmu (Hillock Gibbon), which is included in Schedule 1 of the endangered species list, and handed it over to director of Manipur Zoological Garden, Iroisemba after contacting Chief Conservator of Forests L Joykumar on Saturday.

Zoological Garden and Forest Department commended JCCWB co-convenor Ksh Johnson and his team for saving the endangered animal from the hunters.

Speaking in this regard, JCCWB convenor Romesh Ningthoujam informed that they were contacted about the presence of the endangered animal in Indo-Myanmar border area and urged to rescue the animal from the hunters.

Subsequently, members of JCCWB rushed to the area and took custody of the 'Yongmu' .

While pointing out that hunting is still in practice in remote areas, he urged government authorities, the forest department in particular to look into the matter and stop such hunting activities.

The handing over of the animal was attended by Iroisemba Beat Office staffers and wild life activists among others.

Meanwhile, People for Animals, Manipur has informed that the Burmese python which was rescued by one Th Jiten and his friends from Churachandpur district is presently put up at Manipur Zoological Garden and it will be released at a suitable location after the animal it swallowed gets digested and the swelling reduces.

In a statement, PFA Manipur managing trustee L Biswajeet informed that Th Jiten of Tangjeng, Kakching district, along with his friends came across the python in Singtom area of Churachandpur district where they went on October 11 morning in search of mushrooms.

The python was unable to move as it had eaten a big animal, which later turned out to be a barking deer as shown in the X-ray result, and they brought it home in a sack fearing that hunters might kill it.

Upon reaching Tangjeng, local residents performed rituals as per belief and the video went viral on social media.

On seeing the video, PFA team along with Thoubal Forest Division staff went to the village and took custody of the python.

DFO Thoubal Th Loken and RO Kakching L Dinesh led the PFA team, which consists of experts and forest officials.

The team found believers from different localities making offerings to the python.

Later, the team arranged X-ray examination to determine the food inside the python's stomach and it turned out to be a barking deer.

It also sustained a minor injury and first aid had been given.

The python weighs over 40 kg including the deer inside and is about 11 feet long, the PFA statement said.

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