The rhinoceros hornbill is one of the LARGEST birds found in the rainforests of South East Asia. With their impressively large wing span, these hornbills can create a loud ‘woosh‘ noise – and coupled with their distinctive beak and piercing eyes, these birds can be quite intimidating.
Their most impressive feature is their casque, a spectacular horn, something which is very attractive to poachers, which is partly responsible for their dwindling numbers in the wild. They also face risk from logging activity because they nest in the largest trees.
Even their unusual mating practice carries danger as after their eggs are laid, the female and those eggs are walled into a cavity with only a small hole for the male to pass in food. Whilst this is designed to provide protection, it also means that logging activity can endanger the nest.
Our rhinoceros hornbills are part of a European Endangered Species Breeding Programme.
We are part of The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), an organisation for the European zoo and aquarium community that links over 340 members in 41 countries. It operates the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which is a programme designed to manage animal populations where those animals are threatened or vulnerable.
NOW is the time to ACT FOR WILDLIFE. Conservation is CRITICAL; species are under threat. TOGETHER we can make a BIG difference. Take action TODAY and join us in PREVENTING EXTINCTION.