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| © Nicole Chong |
The Rhinoceros Hornbill, Buceros rhinoceros, is one of the largest hornbills, growing up to 122 cm. Characterised by its orange and white beak, reddish eyes (for males) or whitish eyes (for females), black body and white underparts, they can be found in many regions of Asia such as Singapore. The courtship and bonding of these birds are critical, as the female must trust the male to provide her with everything when she is incubating and raising chicks. The female lays her eggs within a tree cavity. She seals up the entrance with droppings to deter predators, except for a small slit through which the male provides food over the next few months. Industralization and land development have resulted in forested areas in Singapore making way for human usage. Hence, the habitat and continuity of future generations of the Rhinoceros Hornbill is being threatened greatly by deforestation due to urbanization in Singapore over the recent year. Currently, they only present in low densities in most large blocks of lowland and hill forest.
The Singapore Zoological gardens is currently embarking on a pioneering breeding and reintroduction program to re-establish the Rhinoceros Hornbill population in Singapore. However, as like all conservation efforts, saving the hornbills would require a national/regional concerted effort and governments, conservation organizations as well as education of the public would have to be carried out for all groups to work hand-in-hand in order to ensure sustainable development of our native wildlife.
Nicole Chong
Photographer
