Assam: In a tragic incident today, a golden langur was killed after being electrocuted by an exposed electric wire in Kuziapara, Bakhlagava, in Assam’s Bongaigaon district.
This marks the fourth such fatality in December alone, highlighting the escalating threat posed by poorly maintained electric infrastructure to the endangered species.
Locals believe the langurs, likely from the nearby Kakaijana Reserve Forest, ventured into human settlements in search of food.
The frequent electrocution incidents have sparked growing concerns among conservationists and residents alike about the precarious safety of wildlife in the region.
The perilous situation has been underscored by a series of similar tragedies earlier this month. On December 7, an infant golden langur was electrocuted in Nayekgaon, Kokrajhar, after accidentally touching uninsulated power lines while moving through tree branches.
Witnesses described a heartbreaking scene as the injured infant fell to the ground and was retrieved by its mother, who attempted to care for it before it succumbed to its injuries.
In Bongaigaon, another golden langur died on December 8 in the Soulmari area. This was followed by a December 10 incident near Sidalsati market in the Thakurani Khorapara area, where a female golden langur was electrocuted, leaving behind an orphaned infant.
Conservationists have long warned of the threats posed by uninsulated power lines, particularly in regions home to endangered species like the golden langur. Dr. Joydeep Shil, a primatologist from the Primate Research Centre North East India, who discovered the infant carcass from the Nayekgaon incident, called for urgent action to mitigate the risk.
The golden langur, found in the forests of Assam and Bhutan, is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, with its population steadily declining due to habitat loss, electrocution, and other anthropogenic threats.
The recent spate of deaths has intensified calls for immediate intervention, including insulating power lines and implementing stricter wildlife protection measures. For a species already fighting for survival, each loss further diminishes its chances of recovery.
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