Malaysia: Extinction looms for the once-ubiquitous hornbills of Belum Temengor

... Flocks of hornbills covering our skies were common sight in the deep forests of Belum Temengor in the 1990s and up to the early 2000s. However, in recent years and from the recent Hornbill Survey undertaken by the Ecotourism & Conservation Society Malaysia (ECOMY) at the Royal Belum State Park late last month, there’s an alarming decline in the number of these globally-threatened species making their way past the Belum-Temengor forest complex.

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Leaarn more about the threat to hornbills in these EIA resources:

* Interactive map of illegal trade seizures: Helmeted Hornbills at eia-international.org/illegal-trade-seizures-helmeted-hornbills

* Seeing ‘red’ – the often hidden colour of wildlife contraband at eia-international.org/seeing-red-the-often-hidden-colour-of-wildlife-contraband
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Compounding this dismal result is the recent reclassification of the Helmeted Hornbill by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s main authority on globally- threatened biodiversity, from “Near Threatened” to “Critically Endangered”, pointing to the imminent possibility that our hornbill population is slowly reaching extinction, leaving our skies bare and our forests silent.

Hornbills derive their name from the horn-like casque on top of their bills. Larger than most forest birds, they’re striking creatures with their oversized bills, with most species having a brilliantly-coloured pouch of loose skin better known as gular at their throat in which they carry their food.

Called “farmers of the forest”, hornbills play a vital role in the rainforest ecosystem as they disperse the seeds of many tropical trees, keeping the forest alive. Unfortunately, most hornbill species are threatened by habitat loss and wildlife trade. Of the 10 hornbill species here, seven are already listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

... In January 2015, the Environmental Investigation Agency highlighted the threat, indicating that black market prices in China are up to five times higher than for elephant ivory, as increasingly affluent clients seek the keratin-filled structure or casque on the bird’s bill which is carved into luxury decorations and jewellery, akin to elephant ivory.

Read in full at www.nst.com.my/news/2016/09/175706/extinction-looms-hornbills

#Malaysia #China #birds #hornbills #extinction

Image: Helmeted hornbill by Doug Jansen & carved hornbill casques for sale online ... See MoreSee Less

19 hours ago  ·  

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A conduit to China, Japan dodges pressure to ban ivory sales

Defying international pressure, Japan has stopped short of deciding to shut down its market for elephant ivory, traditionally used to carve hanko (personal seals). Instead it is promising to put trade on a tighter leash.

It will oppose a resolution jointly submitted by the United States and other nations urging member nations to outlaw trade in ivory, at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Johannesburg from Saturday, Environment Minister Koichi Yamamoto said Tuesday.

“Trade of wild fauna and flora that doesn’t endanger its species can help preserve the species and develop the local society,” Yamamoto said. “Japan is in a different position from other countries.”

A panel of ministries and businesses compiled a report on Sept. 16 pledging to strengthen online monitoring to prevent unregistered elephant tusks from being sold.

At present, full tusks must be registered with the Environment Ministry. However, those cut into pieces are not required to be registered.

... international conservation group Environmental Investigation Agency said in June that Japanese traders are selling ivory tusks to Chinese buyers, in full knowledge that the items will be illegally exported to China.

Read in full at www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/09/22/national/conduit-china-japan-dodges-pressure-ban-ivory-sales...

#Japan #China #elephants #ivory #CoP17 CITES

Image: Hanko on sale in Japan (c) EIA ... See MoreSee Less

19 hours ago  ·  

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