SINGAPORE – An endangered bird species – the hornbill – 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 its threatened status.
“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.
The Straits Times, Wildlife Reserves Singapore
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. Singapore is home to the Oriental Pied hornbill.
Besides being actively involved in hornbill conservation effort, WRS also successfully lobbied to the International Union for Conservation of Nature for the 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.
“Whether it is the Great, Oriental Pied or Rhinoceros, they are all strong ambassadors for their wild cousins to bring forth the message of protecting biodiversity in our forests,” said Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Deputy CEO and Chief Life Sciences Officer at WRS.
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
Wildlife Reserves Singapore
