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Rare Great Hornbill sighting in Ezhimala sparks renewed calls

Ecological Context

  • SpeciesBuceros bicornis (Great Hornbill), locally known as Malamuzhakki Vezhambal.
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN: Endangered
    • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I species (maximum protection)
  • Typical Habitat: Evergreen and moist deciduous forests of the Western Ghats.
    • Notable ranges: Silent ValleyParambikulamAthirappillyNelliyampathyAralam.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and ecology)

The Sighting: Key Facts

  • Location: Kakkampara near Ezhimala, Kannur, Kerala – a coastal belt.
  • Date: First spotted on May 24, 2025.
  • Duration of Stay: The bird remained in the area for about two weeks.
  • Initial Sighting: Perched on a fig-laden Ficus exasperata tree.
  • Movement: Foraged in the area, flew occasionally to nearby habitats including the Ezhimala Naval Academy campus.
  • Observers: Birdwatchers Manoj Karingamathil, P. Jameela, and forestry student Abhinav Jeevan.

Significance of the Sighting

  • Geographical Rarity:
    • Great Hornbill sightings in coastal zones are highly unusual; primarily forest dwellers.
    • No documented evidence exists of previous sightings this close to the sea in Kannur district.
  • Ecological Indicator:
    • Presence outside its traditionalrange may indicate:
      • Shifting habitat preferences due to climate change or forest degradation.
      • An underexplored biodiversity hotspot in the Ezhimala-Ramanthali belt.
  • Biodiversity Significance:
    • Local governance (Ramanthali Grama Panchayat) hailed the sighting as proof of continued biodiversity richness despite human habitation.
    • Reinforces importance of semi-urban fringe areas as ecological buffers.

Conservation & Policy Implications

IndicatorDetails
Conservation PriorityHigh (Endangered, Schedule I species)
Conservation ConcernHabitat shrinkage, forest fragmentation, poaching
Policy CallNeed for micro-level habitat protection in coastal areas
Research NeedMapping of non-traditional sightings and coastal foraging corridors
Citizen Science RoleAccidental discovery via WhatsApp status, highlighting scope of public involvement in biodiversity tracking

Broader Ecological Reflections

  • Climate Link?: Possible range shifts due to habitat loss, climate stressors, or changing food availability.
  • Seed Disperser Role: Hornbills play a crucial role in forest regeneration through dispersal of fig and fruit tree seeds.
  • Conservation Gap: Coastal ecosystems often overlooked in hornbill conservation plans, despite potential seasonal or adaptive significance.

Way Forward

  • Biodiversity Zonation: Integrate coastal hills like Ezhimala into eco-sensitive zone mapping.
  • Species Monitoring: Use citizen science + academic research to build sighting databases.
  • Community Engagement: Train local communities to identify and report rare wildlife sightings.
  • Habitat Linkage: Restore coastal-forest ecological corridors for seasonal/occasional wildlife dispersal.

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