Evaluation of the

Captive Breeding

Techniques of

Great Hornbills

(Buceros bicornis)Christine T. Bui, MBA

Colorado State University

NSCI 579

December 4, 2012

Photo courtesy of Coraciiformes Taxon Advisory Group

Overview

History

Population Statistics

Success stories

Strategies to attempt

Wrap-up

Photo: Coraciiformes Taxon Advisory Group

History of Great Hornbills

Diet Composition

Figs

Non-

figs

Animals

Photo: IUCN Red List 2012

Breeding and Nesting

Photos: Poulsen 1970 & Chan 2008

Photos: Chan 2008

Environmental Threats

Photos: Wilkipedia 2012 and Pew environment 2012

Population Statistics

Captive

22.18 in AZA

25.22 including

non- AZA

Max pop was 79

birds in 1983

Wild

Est 20,000-50,000

Captive Breeding Populations-

What’s the issue?

Aging captive population

Goals of AZA institutions

Difficulties

Unsuccessful replication at institutions that

had success

Strong pair-bonds and behavior

Reproductive restraints of species

Success Stories

Jurong Bird Park,

Singapore

1980

Audubon Park and

Zoological Garden

1988

Photos: Arkive 2012 and Wikipedia 2012.

Success Stories

Sacramento Zoo, 1989

Photos: Christine Bui 2007, 2008

Strategies to attempt

Varying diet and frequency with minimal

nest disturbance

Diet: Figs, non-figs, animals

Nesting success coincides with period of

max fruit production

Nest disturbance was number one reason

for nest abandonment

Strategies to attempt

Mimic wild environment

Multiple: bird, nest cavities, nest

location, nest materials, food locations

Pros Cons

• Natural expression of

behaviors

• Free mate choice

• Increase reproductive

success

• Genetics

• Aggression

• Density

• Space

Strategies to attempt

Artificial insemination and Semen collection

Recovery of avian populations

Massage technique

Requires training to minimize stress

Must have all other environmental factors in

place for success

Avenue for future research

Wrap-up

Aging captive population

Unsuccessful attempts to create a

sustainable captive population has been

an ongoing goal of AZA institutions

Suggested strategies have the potential

to increase captive populations

Questions? Thank you!!!

Photos: Moghe, Sumeet 2009, Timlaman 2012, Kichus 2012, Keep, Lip 2010