The 8th International Hornbill Conference, themed "Happy Hornbills - Healthy Forest," was held at the Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Thailand, from May 22nd to 24th, 2023. The conference aimed to present the conservation efforts carried out by the participants.
The event was attended by speakers and panelists such as Dr. Woraphat Arthayukti, President of the Thailand Hornbill Research Foundation; Dr. Lucky Kemp, Co-chair of the IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group; Dr. Aparajita Datta, from the Nature Conservation Foundation in India; and His Excellency Dasho Paljor J. Dorji, from the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Forest Research and Training in Bhutan.
The conference provided an opportunity for networking and the regeneration of hornbill conservationists, ensuring the continuity of hornbill conservation efforts to prevent their extinction. In addition to fostering relationships among conservationists, the conference facilitated discussions on on-site conservation activities, fostering partnerships between institutions.
The conference aimed to create a platform for scientists and conservation practitioners from both within and outside of Asia to present research advancements, findings, innovative ideas, and funding initiatives. It also provided a forum for exchanging views, disseminating ideas, and fostering collaboration between local and international scientists and practitioners.
Participants were required to present their research findings on various topics, including the spatial characteristics of Black Hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus) nests in disturbed forests in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan; the nest characteristics of hornbills (Aves: Bucerotidae) in West Kalimantan; and the estimation of the endangered Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) population in Indonesia.
Apart from research presentations, there was also a session on the monitoring of hornbill trade on various online platforms, focusing on "Monitoring Illegal Online Hornbill Trade in Indonesia."
"As a participant in this conference, I had the opportunity to meet experts and researchers from around the world and gained valuable knowledge and insights," said Riki, one of the conference attendees. Riki added that this first-hand experience motivated him to enhance his skills and become part of the IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group.
Heru, another conference participant, expressed his desire to witness the global progress of hornbill research and conservation activities. He hoped to gain additional knowledge that could guide the effectiveness of conservation efforts in Indonesia.
Comprehensive approaches are necessary for the conservation of hornbill species, including research, conservation education, and community empowerment, as these three aspects are interconnected. Rangkong Indonesia conducted research and provided detailed information to ensure clear and easily understood explanations. However, conservation efforts face challenges such as limited resources, both in terms of finances and human capacity.
Despite these challenges, there are appropriate measures to enhance hornbill conservation, such as intensifying conservation efforts and developing community-based ecotourism initiatives.
Hornbill conservation receives support from various levels, including individuals, regional, national, and international entities. Support ranges from moral to financial contributions. Individual support includes programs like nest tree adoption and hornbill feeding facilitated by Rangkong Indonesia. At the national level, hornbills are protected under the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 106/2018, derived from Law No. 5/1999. International support comes in the form of financial assistance, such as the collaboration between Indonesia and the US through TFCA-Kalimantan, which funds various hornbill conservation activities in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan.
"My hope is for collaboration among institutions and countries in hornbill conservation in Indonesia. By observing research developments in other countries, we can learn from them and adapt accordingly to Indonesia's needs," said Mikael.
Rangkong Indonesia is supported by the Whitley Fund for Nature from the United Kingdom to continue hornbill conservation activities over the past two years. Rangkong Indonesia has successfully completed various significant activities in the fields of research, education, and community empowerment.
The current population of hornbills in Indonesia is unknown. Regular research is necessary to determine the population size. The increase or decrease in the hornbill population is influenced by the rate of deforestation that still occurs in Indonesia.***
