Southern ground hornbill

The magnificent ground hornbill raises its young in old and hollow trees. The Hornbill reproduces slowly and since the natural nests are decreasing, the species needs help to survive. Kolmården Foundation supports Mabula Ground Hornbill project which build artificial nests where the birds can raise their young in a safe way.

The Ground Hornbill is by some seen as a pest because it can damage windows when it gets upset by its own reflection. This will in some cases lead to it being killed.

The nests disappear

Nevertheless, the greatest threat to the Ground Hornbill is the lack of bid, old, hollow trees in which it can build nests and raise its young. Unfortunately, suitable trees are destroyed by elephants or chopped down and used for wood.

It takes about 6 years for the Ground Hornbill to reach sexual maturity, and many more years until they become parents. In combination with the lack of hollow trees this makes the species very vulnerable.

Mabula Ground Hornbill Project builds artificial nests

Mabula Ground Hornbill project works in several ways to save the Hornbills in South Africa. For example, through research and education, but also through breeding abandoned chicks and reintroducing them to the wild.

They have also developed an artificial nest which can replace the old, hollow trees. Kolmården Foundation helps to fund the building of these nests for the Southern Ground Hornbill.