Africa's southern ground hornbill population is in decline. In Namibia, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism worked with Mabula Ground Hornbill Project in South Africa to monitor the population and developed a national management strategy for the species in Namibia. The strategy was created via multiple field-based engagements and a conservation planning workshop that ensured that the people who share the land with this bird are instrumental in designing its conservation action plan.
Fire, logging, and the lack of suitable nest trees due to the activity of elephants are some of the major threats facing these birds. Southern ground hornbills are both ecologically—as a top-order predator—and culturally—as the bringer of rain, banisher of droughts, killer of snakes, keeper of time—valuable. It has been determined that in some parts of the range, cultural protection alone is keeping those populations safe. Southern ground hornbills are also heat sensitive; they start showing heat-dissipation behaviors at temperatures as low as 78°F and typically rest in shaded microsites. Heatwaves are increasing in severity and frequency, and this is impacting their foraging ability and embryo development.
This project, facilitated by WWF Namibia and supported by the Wildlife Adaptation Innovation Fund, installed 20 insulated artificial nests to encourage breeding by increasing the availability of suitable nest sites and providing hens, developing embryos, and chicks a higher chance of survival during the hottest times of the breeding season. The nest boxes also provided protection for the birds and their eggs during veld fires occurring in the area. Nest cameras were installed at each nest to assess group demographics, nest uptake, potential predator threats, and fledging success. Despite a rainy season with below average precipitation that prevented breeding, the nests are expected to support future breeding when conditions improve.
Community engagement has also been significant, with 12 members trained to monitor the nests, and eight continuing in this role, contributing to environmental education within their villages. Additionally, a citizen-science network established in 2021 has enhanced data collection, leading to nearly double the sightings of southern ground hornbills.
