Aspects of breeding biology & conservation of the Palawan Hornbill Anthracoceros marchei in the Palawan Faunal Region, Philippines

摘要

Palawan Hornbills occur in three protected areas managed by Katala Foundation, Inc. (KFI), which was established primarily for the conservation of the Philippine Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia within the Palawan faunal region. Characteristics of nest habitats and nest trees are presented, which may aid habitat restoration efforts for the species. A total of nine nest trees, comprising eight species, were monitored within the cockatoo reserves. Nest trees were canopyforming or emergent species. Breeding season on Dumaran Island lasted from approximately end of March to mid-July. Clutch size ranged from two to three eggs, with four on one occasion. The average number of chicks fledged was two, although in the nest with four eggs all four chicks fledged. Palawan Hornbills are apparently capable of withstanding a certain degree of habitat degradation. The species is able to forage in closed forests, forest-agricultural landscapes and mangroves, but persistent shifting cultivation, and more recently, mining, biofuel plantations and other larger scale projects, continually reduce suitable habitats. Hunting hornbills for bushmeat is an ongoing threat and almost certainly under-recorded. Nestlings are regularly poached for the pet trade, as indicated by occasional confiscations. In the past years the species has turned up sporadically in the domestic and international wildlife trade. The Palawan Hornbill benefits from the management of cockatoo reserves and forest rehabilitation implemented by KFI and particularly from the wildlife-warden schemes, which have been established at all project sites. Because of its role as seed disperser, the hornbill plays an important role in the forest ecosystem, which can be usefully promoted in conservation education activities. Palawan Hornbills occur in three protected areas managed by Katala Foundation, Inc. (KFI), which was established primarily for the conservation of the Philippine Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia within the Palawan faunal region. Characteristics of nest habitats and nest trees are presented, which may aid habitat restoration efforts for the species. A total of nine nest trees, comprising eight species, were monitored within the cockatoo reserves. Nest trees were canopyforming or emergent species. Breeding season on Dumaran Island lasted from approximately end of March to mid-July. Clutch size ranged from two to three eggs, with four on one occasion. The average number of chicks fledged was two, although in the nest with four eggs all four chicks fledged. Palawan Hornbills are apparently capable of withstanding a certain degree of habitat degradation. The species is able to forage in closed forests, forest-agricultural landscapes and mangroves, but persistent shifting cultivation, and more recently, mining, biofuel plantations and other larger scale projects, continually reduce suitable habitats. Hunting hornbills for bushmeat is an ongoing threat and almost certainly under-recorded. Nestlings are regularly poached for the pet trade, as indicated by occasional confiscations. In the past years the species has turned up sporadically in the domestic and international wildlife trade. The Palawan Hornbill benefits from the management of cockatoo reserves and forest rehabilitation implemented by KFI and particularly from the wildlife-warden schemes, which have been established at all project sites. Because of its role as seed disperser, the hornbill plays an important role in the forest ecosystem, which can be usefully promoted in conservation education activities.