Hornbills, which are commonly called julang, enggang, or kangkareng in Borneo, are a family of large birds found throughout Asia, parts of Africa, and Melanesia. They are characterised by their long, unique beaks, and their graceful flights in the air. Hornbills are widely hunted for their beaks, which has placed many species on the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In Indonesia, hornbills are protected by Law No. 5/1990 concerning the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems, and Government Regulation No. 7/1999 concerning the Preservation of Plants and Animals. 

The Restorasi Habitat Orangutan Indonesia (RHOI) post-release monitoring (PRM) team working in Kehje Sewen Forest, East Kalimantan, not only monitors released orangutans, but also collects data on the biodiversity found within the forest.

In traditional Dayak communities, hornbills are highly regarded and valuable. Among the Wehea Dayak people of East Kalimantan, only certain individuals are permitted to possess and wear hornbill feathers or preserved beaks as accessories to mark their social status. To be able to do this, one must successfully go through a number of traditional rituals, known as erau anak, nikah adat, and nemlen. The wearing of hornbill feathers or preserved beaks usually indicates a link to Dayak royalty.

In the forest ecosystem, hornbills play an important role. As frugivores, hornbills - just like orangutans - work as seed-dispersal agents for various forest plants. However, the presence of hornbills can also be dependent on orangutan populations in the same habitat. Research indicates that the orangutan population in a forest area can support life for at least five other primate species, five hornbill species, 50 species of fruit tree, and 15 species of liana.

A decline in hornbill populations may also be attributed to the generally monogamous nature of these species and high parental investment in offspring. Hornbills can often mate for life, with both the male and the female investing energy and resources in protecting their eggs during incubation and young chicks once they hatch. 

We sincerely hope that human actions will stop threatening hornbill populations, so that these majestic birds may continue to thrive and help maintain the quality of forests, just as orangutans do. 

Text by: PRM Team in Nles Mamse Camp, Kehje Sewen Forest