An endangered Sulu hornbill was rescued after construction workers found the bird at an area by the sea in Barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Northern Mindanao (DENR-10), the workers observed that the bird was weak and unable to fly near the bridge they were constructing.
They then turned it over to the Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Section of DENR-10.
The bird is undergoing veterinary assessment and rehabilitation, as of this writing.
DENR-10 said that Sulu hornbills are species not found commonly in Northern Mindanao. No prior sightings were recorded in the region.
“The Sulu hornbill, classified as a critically endangered species under DAO No. 2019-09, is found only in the Sulu Archipelago in southern Philippines. Recognized for its striking black-and-white plumage and distinctive bill, it plays an important ecological role as a seed disperser. Its population has severely declined due to habitat loss and hunting, making the rescue of each individual vital to the species’ survival,” DENR-10 said.
Since the bird is not native to the region, DENR-10 recommended that it be turned over to DENR-9.
“If deemed healthy and suitable for release, wildlife authorities will assess the possibility of returning the hornbill to its natural habitat,” DENR-10 added. — GMA Regional TV