PETALING JAYA: The critically endangered Helmeted Hornbill is facing a grave threat from poachers who are after its famed red crown, which is prized by collectors.
International wildlife syndicates pay these poachers between US$80 (RM337) and US$100 (RM421) per crown, prized as “red ivory” that can be carved into souvenirs and trinkets.
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An Indonesian nature conservation agency (BKSDA) officer displays 16 heads of helmeted hornbills caught illegally from animal traders in Banda Aceh on July 26,2019. - BKSDA and police jailed two illegal animal trader who were caught in a district near Mount Leuser National Park. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/ AFP)
Carved collectibles made from hornbill casques.
The male Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) holds food in between its beak to feed the female.
KUALA TERENGGANU 11 MAY 2016: Helmeted Hornbill, one of many species of hornbills which can easily be spotted during late afternoon at the Kenyir Lake area. (STAND ALONE PIX) courtesy pix: Anuar McAfee
A string of beads carved from the casque of helmeted hornbills.
?In this handout photograph taken on April 26,2013 and released by the Forest Police Rapid Reaction Unit (SPORC) shows various hornbill ivory seized by SPORC at their headquarters in Pontianak, West Kalimantan province. A striking bird with monochrome plumage and a formidable "beak", the helmeted hornbill is being hunted to extinction, one of the latest victims of a thriving global trade in exotic wildlife./ AFP PHOTO/ SPORC/ HO/ TO GO WITH AFP STORY: 'INDONESIA-ENVIRONMENT-ANIMAL-CRIME-HORNBILL' - Feature by Nick PERRY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/ Forest Police Rapid Reaction Unit (SPORC)" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS/
Indonesian nature conservation agency (BKSDA) officers check 16 heads of helmeted hornbills caught illegally from animal traders in Banda Aceh on July 26,2019. - BKSDA and police jailed two illegal animal trader who were caught in a district near Mount Leuser National Park. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/ AFP)
An Indonesian nature conservation agency (BKSDA) officer displays 16 heads of helmeted hornbills caught illegally from animal traders in Banda Aceh on July 26,2019. - BKSDA and police jailed two illegal animal trader who were caught in a district near Mount Leuser National Park. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/ AFP)
An Indonesian nature conservation agency (BKSDA) officer displays 16 heads of helmeted hornbills caught illegally from animal traders in Banda Aceh on July 26,2019. - BKSDA and police jailed two illegal animal trader who were caught in a district near Mount Leuser National Park. (Photo by CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/ AFP)
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