| Citation |
BirdLife International 2018. Rhinoplax vigil. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22682464A134206677. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22682464A134206677.en. Downloaded on 15 April 2019. |
Description |
Geographic Range [top]
Range Description: This species is confined to the Sundaic lowlands, where it is known from south Tenasserim, Myanmar, peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia and Brunei (BirdLife International 2001). It is generally scarce and occurs at low densities even in optimal habitat.
Countries occurrence:
Native:
Brunei Darussalam; Indonesia; Malaysia; Myanmar; Thailand
Regionally extinct:
Singapore
Additional data:
? Continuing decline in area of occupancy (AOO): Yes
? Extreme fluctuations in area of occupancy (AOO): No ? Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) - km2: 3540000
? Continuing decline in extent of occurrence (EOO): Yes ? Extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence (EOO): No
? Continuing decline in number of locations: Yes
? Extreme fluctuations in the number of locations: No
? Upper elevation limit (metres): 1100
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
Population [top]
Population: The population size of this species has not been quantified; it is considered locally common.
Trend Justification: An extremely rapid and severe decline is predicted to occur in this speciess population over the next three generations (59 years) as a result of intense hunting pressure and habitat loss. The species has apparently almost disappeared from habitats where it was previously abundant on Sumatra (J. Eaton in litt. 2015).
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Additional data:
? Continuing decline of mature individuals: Yes
? Extreme fluctuations: No ? Population severely fragmented: No
? Continuing decline in subpopulations: Yes
? Extreme fluctuations in subpopulations: No ? All individuals in one subpopulation: No
Habitat and Ecology [top]
Habitat and Ecology: It occurs in primary semi-evergreen and evergreen lowland forest, up to 1,500 m. In particular, it prefers rugged terrain, especially in foothills, and can persist locally in selectively logged forest. It feeds on fruits, especially figs, but also on small animals including squirrels, snakes and birds and even other hornbill species (Kemp and Boesman 2014). Little is known of breeding biology however it is known to nest in natural holes in large trees (Kemp and Boesman 2014). In Thailand it mainly uses trees in the Diptocarpaceae family, particularly Hopea spp. and Shorea spp. (Meijaard et al. 2005).
Systems: Terrestrial
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes
Generation Length (years): 19.8
Movement patterns: Not a Migrant
Threats [top]
Major Threat(s): The species is heavily targeted by hunters and illegally traded. The species has a solid horn or casque on the upper side of its beak which is highly prized. China is the biggest consumer of the casques which are often carved for decorations or used in traditional medicine (Hughes 2015). It has been recorded in trade in Laos (EIA 2015). Large numbers of hunters have been observed in the forests of Sumatra searching for this species (J. Eaton in litt. 2015), and in June 2015 a group of around 30 hunters was broken up in northern Sumatra (Hughes 2015). Currently the trade in this species is centered on Indonesia, but will likely move to Malaysia once the supply of birds runs low in Indonesia (S. Mahood in litt. 2015). The trade network is thought to be largely managed by organised crime meaning that trade pressure is likely to continue, eventually reaching every part of the speciess range and it will be very difficult to control (N. Collar in litt. 2015). In West Kalimantan, it is thought that as many as 500 birds were being killed every month in 2013, resulting in an annual loss of 6,000 individuals (Y. Hadiprakarsa in litt. 2015, Hii 2015). There is no information to suggest that such levels of exploitation should be any different in other Indonesian provinces, indeed trade in hundreds of birds per month from Sumatra has been reported within the last year (N. Collar in litt. 2015).
Owing to the speciess breeding cycle, hunting is likely to have a particularly severe impact. The speciess breeding cycle involves the female being incarcerated for c. 160 days, while the male provisions the female and nestling in the nest. Although the female will break out of the nest should the male stop providing food, she is likely to be in heavy moult and her ability to survive will be seriously compromised. Thus the killing of the male could lead to the death of both the chick and the female (N. Collar in litt. 2015). In addition to hunting the species for its casque, it is also targeted for its feathers. Although this trade is small, it exerts an additional pressure which is also likely to contribute to population declines (N. Collar in litt. 2015).
An analysis of remote sensing data on forest loss has estimated that the total area of forest within the speciess range has decreased from c. 643,000 km2 in 2000 to c. 565,000 km2 in 2012, a loss of c. 12% (Tracewski et al. in prep.). Assuming that the rate of forest loss is constant, this represents a loss of c.25% of forest habitat within the speciess range across three generation lengths (26.1 years). The species is generally confined to lowland and lower-slope forest up to 750 m elevation, an area which is targeted for conversion to oil palm and logging for timber (N. Collar in litt. 2015). The species has specific nesting requirements, using the largest trees and apparently requiring trees with nest holes topped with a perch for the male to use while provisioning the female (N. Collar in litt. 2015). Logging is therefore likely to significantly reduce available nest sites. As a fig-specialist it is also likely to be strongly affected by loss of fig trees due to logging (Meijaard et al. 2005). Rates of forest loss in the Sundaic lowlands have been extremely rapid, owing partly to the escalation of illegal logging and land conversion, with deliberate targeting of all remaining stands of valuable timber including those inside protected areas. Forest fires have also had a damaging effect (particularly in 1997-1998).
Conservation Actions [top]
Conservation Actions: Conservation and Research Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I. In Thailand, poachers have been encouraged to become hornbill observers and guides for tourists (Hii 2015).
Conservation and Research Actions Proposed
Urgently enforce legislation to prevent illegal hunting. Support livelihoods in forest communities so that the incentive to poach is minimised. Monitor populations across the speciess range to determine the magnitude of declines and rates of range contraction. Monitor the impact of hunting pressure on populations. Campaign for the protection of remaining tracts of lowland forest throughout the range.
Citation: BirdLife International. 2016. Rhinoplax vigil. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22682464A92947540. Downloaded on 09 December 2016.
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