This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
Image of the Week #30, February 13th, 2012:
From:Artificial Beaks Helping to Save Hornbills from Extinction in India by John Platt at Extinction Countdown
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Source: Lip Kee Yap on Flickr
The great hornbill (Buceros bicornis), is one of five hornbill species native to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. In addition to facing the perils of habitat destruction, they are threatened by hunting; their beaks form the centerpiece of traditional headpieces worn by the Nyishi people. Thanks to a conservation effort started in 2000 that offers the Nyishi synthetic bills instead of natural ones, hornbill populations are bouncing back in Arunachal Pradesh. Between 2000 and 2007, their population grew from just 500 to 2,000.