Conservation initiative in the Philippines: Population assessment of the Visayan hornbill in NW Panay

The Philippines is both a biodiversity hotspot and a megadiverse country placing it among the top priorities for global conservation. Bristol Zoological Society has worked with local partners since 2014 to create sustainable alternatives to forest depletion and hunting, as well as employing forest wardens to monitor activities. In addition, we conduct systematic surveys on the endemic wildlife on both Panay and Negros islands such as the Negros bleeding-heart dove (Gallicolumba keayi). The Endangered Visayan hornbill, Penelopides panini, is threatened by habitat loss and hunting and is thought to be a good indicator species of the habitat they occupy. The population size is estimated to be less than 1,000 breeding individual. We investigated the population size and habitat preference in the Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park which is the largest contiguous low-elevation forest landscape remaining across its range. We found (using Distance software) 2,109 individuals in total and that this species has a clear preference for primary forest in comparison to secondary forest. In addition, we found that distance to the park boundary and presence of medium-sized tree (26-99cm DBH) had significant effect on hornbill presence. These results highlights the importance of this specific protected area to sustain this species' future and further evidence for re-assessing the global population size.