Cox's Bazar's Dulahazara Safari Park welcomes 2 endangered Great Hornbills

Two endangered Great Hornbills (Raj Dhanesh) have become the newest attraction at Dulahazara Safari Park in Cox's Bazar's Chakaria upazila, drawing enthusiastic visitors and wildlife lovers.

The hornbills were rescued from the remote hill tracts of Bandarban by the Forest Department on 6 August.

Confirming the matter today (13 August), the park's acting range officer Md Monjur Alam said, "After a thorough health check at the park's veterinary hospital, the hornbills were placed in the park's aviary, where they are now under close observation and receiving a diet of fruits and insects."

"They are in good health and adapting well to the new environment. Park staff are ensuring the birds are protected from any harm, including preventing visitors from throwing objects at them," he added.

The hornbills were recovered from a remote village in Remakri union of Thanchi upazila, where they were being held for illegal sale. Acting on a tip-off, officials from the Forest Department conducted a raid and rescued the birds.

Bandarban Forest Division Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Abdur Rahman, said the birds were found confined at a local resident's home in the hilly Remakri area, in violation of Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act. "Later, the birds were transported to the Bandarban Forest Division office before being handed over to Dulahazara Safari Park under the department's supervision."

According to the Hornbill Specialist Group, there are 62 hornbill species in the world — 32 in Asia and 30 in Africa. Currently, 26 of them are globally threatened or near threatened.

Four of the species are found in Bangladesh's forests — Great Hornbill, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, and Rufous-necked Hornbill. However, deforestation and habitat loss have pushed these birds to the brink of extinction.

The Great Hornbill is primarily found in the deep forests of Chattogram, though sightings in the northern district were also reported several years ago.

Hornbills are known for their distinctive, curved, horn-like beaks, which they use to chisel nests into tall tree trunks. Their diet mainly consists of fruits, insects, and small animals.