Jurong Bird Park unveils the hornbill as its new animal icon

SINGAPORE - Facing existential threats from poachers and deforestation, some hornbill species are critically endangered. And it is for this reason that the bird has been unveiled as the new animal icon of the Jurong Bird Park.

Taking a departure from its sister attractions - the Singapore Zoo and River Safari - in having a single mascot, the entire hornbill species was chosen by Jurong Bird Park to raise awareness of all threatened bird species.

Read also:
Craze for hornbill 'ivory' pushes Borneo icon to the brink
Rare find of baby hornbill in Sarawak's town area

"The hornbill can only be found in Africa and Asia. Of the 54 species globally, more than half of the hornbill family is actually found in this part of the world," said Dr Jessica Lee, Manager of Conservation and Research at Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS).

"The hornbill was chosen because it is an icon that represented conservation for Southeast Asia."

The icon will be called Sunny, Jurong Bird Park said.

Jurong Bird Park, which is managed by WRS, is home to Southeast Asia's largest collection of hornbills in the world with 18 hornbill species. The Oriental Pied hornbill is native to Singapore.

Besides being actively involved in hornbill conservation effort, WRS also successfully lobbied to the International Union for Conservation of Nature for the Helmeted hornbill species to be listed as 'critically endangered'.

Hornbills are mainly threatened by hunting and habitat loss from deforestation. They are hunted for their casques - the horns above the beaks - also know as hornbill ivory.

[embed]https://studio.brightcove.com/products/videocloud/media/videos/5196481630001[/embed]

"We have chosen the hornbill as Jurong Bird Park's animal icon as we think this striking bird will be a relatable ambassador for all threatened bird species that need our help and protection," said Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Deputy CEO and Chief Life Sciences Officer at WRS.

"We have great success in Singapore where we have helped to reintroduce the oriental pied hornbill.

"There are other species such as the Helmeted hornbill that are being hunted relentlessly and urgently need our help."

From Nov 19 to Dec 11, guests at the park will be able to participate in several hornbill-focused activities such as feeding and photography sessions.

grongloh@sph.com.sg

[embed]https://www.facebook.com/sphasiaone/videos/1272656529459591/[/embed]