MABULA GROUND HORNBILL CONVERSATION PROJECT

This Project has been actively managing the decline of Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) in the Savannah biome of South Africa since 1999.

The National Zoological Gardens are carrying out a genetic study to determine if the Southern Ground Hornbills of South Africa are part of a population that stretches far into Africa, or if ground hornbills in different areas are subspecies. This is extremely important for releases of captive birds that originate from different parts of Africa.

Their motive was to get DNA(s) samples from Southern Ground Hornbill at the top of their range in order to compare with Kruger DNA so that the National Zoological Gardens Research Department can ascertain whether there is a sub-species.

Ann Turner, Co-ordinator of the Mabula Project, organized Nick Theron, the Mabula Project Researcher, into a position where he could capture groups of birds in the Maasai Mara. Kenya Wildlife Services provided permits and staff and backed the Project to the hilt.

URL : http://www.mabulagroundhornbillconservationproject.org.za/