The helmeted hornbill is a striking bird native to Southeast Asia. Intense poaching for its ivory-like casque—the helmetlike structure protruding from its bill—and loss of its tropical forest habitat have recently led the conservation status of this hornbill to make a rare jump from “near threatened” directly to “critically endangered.” Nigel Collar of BirdLife International and hornbill researcher Yokyok Hadiprakarsa discuss the alarming situation that has led this once common bird to become a rare sight.
Video excerpt courtesy Indonesia Nature Film Society
Read more on National Geographic’s Wildlife Watch: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160316-helmeted-hornbill-trafficking-smuggling-red-ivory/
Watch the full video, “Call From Majestic Bird”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ah7xB2sblg