SINGAPORE: The Jurong Bird Park announced its new animal icon on Thursday (Nov 3), a hornbill named Sunny.
It was chosen because the park is home to Southeast Asia’s largest collection of hornbills, and has long been actively involved in hornbill conservation efforts.
When Jurong Bird Park opened in 1971, it had just five hornbill species, said Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) in a press release. Today, it home to 18 different hornbill species, with 11 native to Southeast Asia.
Show Presenter Eileen Lim with Harriet, a Bar Pouched Wreathed Hornbill, at Jurong Bird Park. (Photo: WRS)
Jurong Bird Park also wants to draw attention to the plight of hornbills. Some species are facing extinction globally because they are losing their habitats as a result of tropical rainforest destruction. Others, like the helmeted hornbill, are being hunted for the ivory in their solid casques.
“We think this striking bird will be a relatable ambassador for all threatened bird species that need our help and protection,” said WRS’ deputy CEO and chief life sciences officer Dr Cheng Wen-Haur.
“Whether it is the Great, Oriental Pied or Rhinoceros (hornbill species), they are all strong ambassadors for their wild cousins to bring forth the message of protecting biodiversity in our forests,” he said.
Jurong Bird Park has been actively involved in hornbill conservation efforts. In 2005, the park entered a collaboration dedicated to breeding and conserving Pied Hornbills.
Senior Avian Keeper Peter Teo with Sally, an Oriental Pied Hornbill, at Jurong Bird Park. (Photo: WRS)
Pied Hornbills were not seen for 140 years prior to 1994, but are now thriving in Singapore. In 2013, three of their eggs were rescued from Pulau Ubin and were successfully hatched at the park’s breeding and research centre, marking the world’s first successful incubation and hatching of an Oriental Pied Hornbill.
Mohd Saad bin Yahya, supervisor of animal presentation, with Sunny the Hornbill at Jurong Bird Park’s Pools Amphitheatre. (Photo: WRS)
You can catch Sunny at a free-flying performance daily.
