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

 

By a Genetic Study of Southern Ground Hornbills throughout their range.

 

A genetic study is currently being co-ordinated by the National Zoological Gardens, 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.

 

The Mabula Ground Hornbill Project has just visited Kenya.

 

The objective of this trip to Kenya was to collect DNA 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 - needed in order to set up a Global Management Plan for SGH in Africa. As you will see in the Link to "Genetics"

we found 8 groups and caught 5 with a total 12 birds processed

in 6 days, and the precious vials of DNA samples have been

divided between Kenya Wildlife Services and the National Zoo,

who will publish a paper at the beginning of 2010.

 

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.  Without the expertise and technical

support of Simon Thomsett, as representative of the National

Museums of Kenya, the smooth running of the operation would

not have been so easy.

 

A Population Count has been initiated between Kenya Wildlife Services and the National Museums of Kenya.

 

The Capture team