Rare hornbills get boost

The cabinet on Tuesday agreed in principle on a draft royal decree, proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, to list the helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) as Thailand's 20th reserved wild species, she said.

It is estimated that there are less than 100 helmeted hornbills in Thailand and the risk of them becoming extinct has become higher following a spike in their value on the black market.

The wild bird is known to have a relatively low breeding rate which adds to the risk of it becoming an extinct species, she said, adding that most helmeted hornbills are found in national parks in Chumphon and Narathiwat.

Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), Thailand is obliged to create sufficient legal measures to ensure the protection of reserved and protected species, she said.