Here's a reminder about Dr. Pilai Poonswad's lecture of her hornbill research in Thailand. The lecture is at the Seattle Rotary Education Center Auditorium (Woodland Park Zoo south gate; North 50th at Fremont Ave. N.), on Thursday, 6 December at 730PM.
Greg Toffic

Woodland Park Zoo is proud to present a slide-illustrated talk by Dr. Pilai Poonswad of the HRF. Dr. Poonswad is the most renowned hornbill researcher in southeastern Asia. One of her hornbill projects in northern Thailand was featured in the July 1999 issue of National Geographic. She will be giving an overview of the hornbills of Thailand and update us on the successful Nest Adoption Program. She will be speaking at the Seattle Rotary Education Center Auditorium (Woodland Park Zoo south gate; North 50th ad Fremont Ave. N.), on Thursday, 6 December at 730PM. There is a $5 suggested donation, with 100% of these proceeds going directly to the Hornbill Research Foundation (HRF).

Since 1978, the HRF centered their research on collecting natural history information on the 13 species of hornbills that occur in Thailand. It was obvious that just collecting biological data would not save the species. Young birds were being taken by poachers and sold in the markets. And even worse, illegal logging of preferred hornbill habitat continued.

Hornbills are keystone species. They can be used as ecological indicators to judge the health of the environment. As they are important seed dispersers, the forests may need the hornbills as much as the hornbills need the forests. If they and their habitat can be protected, then many smaller and lesser known species will be saved. The survival of Thailand's forests and wildlife will depend upon people understanding the importance of the forests to their lives and the urgent need to help conserve them. In 1994, the HRF designed a program that involved the local villagers. Some of these villagers previously had poached hornbill chicks from the nest and sold them for much needed cash. Now they guard and protect the nests and birds, collecting valuable information for the researchers.

For $120 per year, one can adopt a nest. Data are collected in the breeding season (January-June). One hundred percent of this money goes directly to the villagers. Since the spring of 1999, the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) and the Jungle Party Conservation Fund (JPCF) of Woodland Park Zoo, have adopted 33 hornbill nests in southern Thailand. This is one of many programs that are coordinated by the Hornbill Research Foundation.

Results of the adopted nest are sent out in the following non-breeding season. This information includes: success/failure of the pair of birds; noteworthy dates such as, when female first entered nest cavity, when she leaves the nest cavity, when the chick(s) fledge; food items brought by the male to the female and/or chick(s); species of nest tree, etc. Photos of the birds at the nest and the villager who has watched that particular nest are also provided.

This nest adoption program has been so successful that poaching has virtually been eliminated in the areas guarded by the villagers. Now the concern is to control and stop illegal logging of suitable habitat.

During the non-breeding season, the villagers build or maintain blinds for the next breeding season. They also will monitor the condition of the nests and make modifications to improve those that need maintenance. Suitable nest trees are a limiting resource for most cavity nesting birds. This is especially the case for large birds such as hornbills.

This project is a win-win situation. The villagers get some money for their efforts; hornbill researchers get data; and most important, the hornbills get protected. Besides, this might make a nice holiday gift for a special friend. Hope to see you all there.