Saving rare hornbills: Philippines launches conservation plan

Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (PBCF) and the local government of Tawi-Tawi have joined forces on a conservation plan in hope to improve the critically low population of Sulu hornbill.

The bird, whose scientific name is Anthracoceros montani, is one of the rarest avian species that can only be found in the Bangsamoro province of Tawi-Tawi. Formerly abundant in the last 19th century, the species has experienced a rapid decline in the past 10 years due to forest loss, as reported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to BirdLife International, there are only about 27 mature Sulu hornbills in the wild.

The project was launched in the town of Panglima Sugala, where 60% of the remaining forest in Tawi-Tawi is located. It is also considered as the home of the Sulu hornbill, according to ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB).

Theresa Mundita Lim, executive director of ACB, said that the project also aimed to understand the evolutionary link between the Sulu hornbills and other avian species found in the rest of ASEAN region. Lim also added that the province is a known popular spot for terrestrials birds, and endemic and migratory birds.

Lim stressed out that PBCF, ACB, and local government would work together to monitor the threatened birds in the identified spot, including the migratory sites.

Other threatened species

There are 10 endemic hornbill species found in the Philippines. Sadly, the last 15 years have been harsh for them, as 9 of it are now considered endangered.

Among these birds is the Visayan hornbill, which is the latest addition to the long list of endangered species. BirdLife International had estimated 1,200 species in the wild.

Another one called Rufous-headed hornbill, a native in Panay, has only around 1,800 species. The Haribon Foundation, a local group which aims to restore the forest on the island, said that the island of Panay became a hotspot for deforestation in the 1960s to 1970s. 

Unlike other bird species who made a nest out of dried plants, hornbill birds create their nesting site on the hollow trees, thus, making them more vulnerable on the mass deforestation currently experienced by the country.

Thankfully, island citizens were cooperative on trying to conserve hornbills. They even have a local festival for them.

"Our list of threatened bird species grew," said Berhel Doria of the government's wildlife resources division. He also said that birds are the biggest addition to the threatened list, and none of those has ever gotten back to normal level.

The risk of being extinct happens when the rate of reproduction could not keep up with the mass death occurring on the species. Mass death is either caused by loss of genetic variant or loss of natural habitat, with the latter as the more common reason. Due to ongoing industrial development, about 95,600 species are endangered, with 26,500 close to extinction. 

There are 55 recognized hornbill species globally. Based on the data found in the Red List, which is maintained by IUCN, 24 species are vulnerable, with three of these near extinction.