DAVAO CITY — Conservation efforts in the Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP) Cotabato received a significant boost with the recent documentation of three adult and one juvenile Mindanao Rufous Hornbills (Buceros hydrocorax mindanensis) by the Philippine Eagle Monitoring team during a monitoring activity from September 9-14, 2024, in Magpet, Cotabato.
This sighting marks the second observation of this bird species in the area this year, following the identification of a single individual during a similar monitoring effort in May 2024.
The presence of a juvenile hornbill is particularly encouraging, indicating potential active breeding in the region and underscoring a key milestone in ongoing local conservation initiatives.
Endemic to Mindanao, the Mindanao Rufous Hornbill is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to threats from deforestation, habitat loss, and hunting.
The continued presence of this species in the park suggests that the local forest remains intact, functioning as a viable ecosystem capable of supporting their survival.
This documentation is a positive step forward for biodiversity conservation in the province and emphasizes the urgent need to protect these critical habitats.
The MANP Cotabato Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) is intensifying its monitoring and conservation efforts in collaboration with local communities, government units, and conservation organizations to safeguard this species and its habitat for future generations.
