Southern ground hornbill

    The magnificent ground hornbill is threatened in several countries in southern Africa, and today there are only viable populations in Zambia and Tanzania. It has a slow reproduction rate and when the natural nest holes are now becoming fewer it needs help to survive. The Kolmården Foundation supports the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project which produces artificial nesting holes where the birds can safely raise their young. During project, more than 150 fledglings have been born in the artificial nests.

    The ground hornbill's nesting holes are disappearing

    Threats to the ground hornbill include non-insulated power lines, poisoning through, for example, insecticides and pesticides, and disease. The ground hornbill is also considered by some to be a pest, as it can destroy window panes when it gets angry at its own reflection. This sometimes results in it being killed.

    The biggest threat to the ground hornbill, however, is the lack of large, old, hollow trees that it needs to raise its young in. Unfortunately, there are not many such trees left as they are destroyed by elephants or cut down for firewood.

    It takes a full six years for a ground hornbill to become an adult, and many more years before they become parents. This, combined with the lack of nesting holes, makes the species very vulnerable.

    The Mabula Ground Hornbill Project builds artificial nesting burrows

    The Mabula Ground Hornbill Project works in several ways to save the ground hornbills in South Africa, including through research and educational activities, but also by rearing abandoned cubs and reintroduction of these into nature.

    After careful testing, they have also developed a type of artificial nesting hole that can replace the lost hollow trees, as well as attract the birds to areas from which they have disappeared. In these nests, temperature and humidity are also measured during heat waves, and the design is adjusted so that they are cooler and thus safer for breeding during hot periods.

    The Kolmården Foundation is involved in financing the project with the construction of nesting holes of the southern ground hornbills.