Rufous-necked hornbill  (Aceros nipalensis)

As slow-growing, long-lived birds that have few offspring each year, rufous-necked hornbills are particularly susceptible to over-hunting and unfortunately it is a continuing threat to them. Hunting is most common in China, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam where the meat is said to be good to eat and the casque is often also sold, leading to the extreme rarity of the rufous-necked hornbill in all but the most remote areas (4).

The rufous-necked hornbill is also at risk from habitat loss due to its preference for very large living trees at nest sites. It is these trees that are first selected by commercial loggers for felling. The hornbill also requires very large areas of land for foraging and so fragmentation as a result of logging and road-building can quickly reduce the viability of a population (4).

Despite the inclusion of the rufous-necked hornbill in several wildlife laws, including protective acts in China, India, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand, it is persistently hunted. It has proved extremely difficult to protect the species through the law or through the use of rangers, but the governments of Laos and Vietnam are now tackling the problem through controlling gun ownership (4).

Habitat loss is also a wide-ranging problem with extensive underlying political and economic influences. The government of Bhutan has committed to ensuring 60% of the country remains covered by forest and that preservation of the environment takes precedence over economic benefits resulting from its exploitation (4).

The rufous-necked hornbill is present in low numbers in a large number of reserves, sanctuaries and national parks across its range, but the majority of these areas would benefit from improved management systems (4).