PESCP - success stories
Under construction - updates coming soon

Campaigns in 2002 and 2003

A wildlife conservation and education project in the northern Central Panay Mountain Range, funded by �GEO Protects the Rainforest� and executed by the PESCP, during the first half of 2003 focused on hornbill nest hole protection and monitoring, education cum livelihood programs in the project area and a cooperation between PESCP, DENR, barangay councils and newly established Community Conservationists.
Hornbill nest hole monitoring and protection in 2003 included another 11 rare species and proved to be very successful, with a clear increase of the number of recorded successful nest holes,  i.e. fledging at least one young (100% increase in the Dulungan and even 500 % in the Tarictic). The poaching rate was brought down from a staggering 50 % to less than 5 % within two years. Further existence of the hornbills and other seed-dispersing local bird and mammal species is of utmost importance for the future long-term existence of the rainforest. Community Conservationists patrol the forests near their barangays and, in cooperation with PESCP´s forest rangers, gather data on endangered species and monitor illegal activities like logging and wildlife trade. In addition, the PESCP assisted communities in the identification of ecologically important areas, measures against erosion, in the development of conservation and reforestation plans and, in cooperation with Aklan State University, in the development of alternatives to slash and burn agriculture on three project sites. New project areas were identified.

Taken from:
- F. Temur, T. Künzel & E. Curio (2003): Conservation measures to intervene against hunting Writhed-billed Hornbills (Aceros waldeni) in the Central Panay Mountain Range. Mid year report, executed by Philippine Endemic Species Conservation Project in cooperation with Frankfurt Zoological Society, funded by �GEO Protects the Rainforest�, Germany. Unpublished Report, Ruhr-Universität Bochum.

Successful hornbill release (1998 - 2005)

A Visayan Tarictic male (Penelopides panini panini), confiscated as a fledgling and reared and trained by PESCP staff, was gradually subjected to a 'soft release' and bonded up with a wild flock while gradually becoming independent of the food offered. This was the first of any hornbill releases. Until early 2005, 22 Tarictic Hornbills could be successfully released, equipped with transmitters for monitoring the success. The experience from these releases can help prepare the release of rehabilitated birds of an  even more threatened species, the Writhed-billed Hornbill or Dulungan, in the future. Meanwhile, not only survival of the released Tarictics but also successful breeding with a wild mate can be reported. Furthermore, pair formation of releasees in the wild occurred soon upon release. In addition, nest boxes were offered by PESCP in the forests around the station, and since 2002 are accepted for breeding by wild Tarictics.
(The rehabilitation and release program is sponsored by Frankfurt Zoological Society, Association for Bird Conservation and Aviculture (AZ), Bird Protection Committee, and IDEXX).

Taken from:

- E. Curio (1998):  The first 'soft release' of a juvenile Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini panini).   Publication No. 19 of the Philippine Endemic Species Conservation Project (PESCP) of the Frankfurt Zoological Society. Report compiled from records of Fel C. Cadiz, Benjamin 'June' Tacud, Henry Urbina and Eberhard Curio.

- Lichtblicke für die Natur (2003): Newsletter, Stiftung bedrohte Tierwelt (Foundation for Endangered Wildlife).  Frankfurt Zoological Society (German, authored by E. Curio: Highlights of Progress for Nature).
 

See also our page about hornbill conservation by the PESCP with information about successful breeding in artificial nest boxes.

 
Recommended literature:

Margoluis, R.; Salafsky, N.; Balla, A. (Illustrator), 1998: Measures of success: Designing, managing, and monitoring conservation and development projects. Island Press. ISBN: 1559636122  (Paperback, 363 pages)