Time is running out for Thailand's dwindling population of helmeted hornbills thanks to poaching of exotic birds for ivory-like casques atop ir big red and yellow beaks. species, kwn by scientific name Rhiplax vigil, is listed as "critically endangered" by International Union for Conservation of Nature. "Currently, re are fewer than 100 of birds in Thailand's forests," says Dr. Kaset Sutacha, chairman of Bird Conservation Society of Thailand and he of Exotic Pet and Wildlife Clinic at Kasetsart University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bangkok. "Critically endangered" is just a step away from "extinct in wild" and two steps from becoming considered "extinct."

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Reason behind extinction

Demand from China is helping drive demand for ir distinctive casques, "helmets" in French, which males deploy in battle. material is used to make rings, pendants, and or decorative items. Worries over species' survival intensified after wildlife tre monitoring group TRAFFIC recently posted photos online of dozens of skulls of endangered avian for sale. A campaign on change.org online petition site is pressuring government to d bird to Thailand's Wildlife Preservation List as soon as possible. It w lists 19 or species. bird is alrey on Thailand's official list of protected animals, but would get much better protection if it's included in Wildlife Preservation List, Kaset said.

That "means we can get money, officers and tools from government, including a national conservation plan designed just for this species," he said.

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Dwindling population of species

population of bird, found in Indonesia, Malaysia and parts of Myanmar and sourn Thailand, is dwindling, IUCN says. Most s of hornbills have hollow casques. helmeted hornbills' are a hard, solid block that in illegal wildlife market is called "red ivory." London-based Environmental Investigation ncy says black market prices are up to five times higher than for elephant tusks. China appears to be main market for helmeted hornbill parts and products, though re is also demand in Laos and Thailand, says Elizabeth John, TRAFFIC Souast Asia's senior communications officer. TRAFFIC has spotted at least 546 hornbill parts, mostly casques of helmeted hornbills, for sale on Thai Facebook groups in past five years. Bird Conservation Society of Thailand has seen number of helmeted hornbills depleted over past 40 years by deforestation and climate change.

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Hornbills were hunted by indigeus tribes

"If we let poaching go on, it will wipe out entire species in Thailand in time," Kaset said. Preeda Tiansongrasamee, a researcher who has lived in Budo-Sungai Pi National Park in Budo range in Narathiwat province for 20 years, said hunters tritionally sought helmeted hornbills' casques and hes because y were thought to bring good luck. "In past, we could see hes of bird in homes and people wore amulets me from casques," he said by phone. "That belief has fed away, but a new group of poachers has emerged who hunt bird to cater to demand from outside Thailand." 

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price dealers pay for exotic birds

Trers will pay villrs 5,000-6,000 baht ($165-$200) for a hornbill he, Preeda said he was told. Prices are double or triple that in cities and increase exponentially when sold overseas. Preeda walks through forest every day to check on hornbills. "Right w, re are two nests that have baby birds inside. We have to pray that male will be safe and bring back food every day," he says. "Orwise, mor and its babies will die." Local loggers tend to heed appeals t to cut down trees with hornbill nests, but poachers from elsewhere tend t to listen and sometimes threaten people who try to stop m, Preeda said. A longstanding Muslim insurgency has complicated efforts to save birds since rebels sometimes target forest rangers y consider to be on side of government, ir enemy. bird is so imperiled it's likely to be ded to Wildlife Preservation List, said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a respected government consultant on conservation and development. Last year, Thon got four species ded to list. But implementing a conservation plan doesn't guarantee species will survive, he said.

"It's t only animals that we have to take care of. people who live in area should be looked after as well," says Thon. "y have to survive and have a better life if y are to refrain from cutting trees, and poaching. Without cooperation from people, conservation plan will last long."