Rescued Walden’s hornbill shows progress in Aklan

ILOILO CITY — A critically endangered Walden’s hornbill, locally known as dulungan, is showing encouraging signs of recovery after being turned over to environmental authorities in Aklan.

The bird, scientifically known as Rhabdotorrhinus waldeni, was voluntarily surrendered by Davey Al Z. Zaballero to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Aklan on June 28.

The hornbill is being cared for at the Wildlife Rescue Center in Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan, where wildlife specialists and veterinary personnel are monitoring its condition.

The bird is undergoing continuous evaluation of its alertness, wing mobility, and foraging behavior inside a secure enclosure designed to minimize human imprinting and preserve its natural instincts.

The rehabilitation process is intended to improve the hornbill’s chances of eventually returning to the wild if specialists determine that it is fit for release.

DENR Region 6 said the rescue highlights the importance of cooperation among communities, government agencies, and wildlife specialists in protecting Panay Island’s biodiversity.

The agency also reminded the public that Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, provides for the conservation and protection of wildlife species and their habitats.

The law also regulates the collection, possession, and trade of wildlife as part of efforts to preserve ecological balance and biodiversity.

DENR Region 6 encouraged residents to report wildlife sightings, rescues, and voluntary turnovers to local authorities so animals can receive proper handling and care.

The Walden’s hornbill is considered one of Panay’s flagship wildlife species and plays an important ecological role in maintaining healthy forests.

Often described as a “farmer of the forest,” the hornbill helps disperse seeds from fruits it consumes, supporting forest regeneration and the growth of native trees.

For conservationists, the rehabilitation of even a single Walden’s hornbill is significant because the species remains critically endangered and continues to face threats from habitat loss, hunting, and other human pressures.

The ongoing recovery effort underscores how community participation, government oversight, and specialized wildlife rehabilitation can work together to strengthen protection for threatened species in Western Visayas.