By Guest Blogger – Kirsten Pisto, Woodland Park Zoo

Over the past two years with support from the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Garden’s Round Up Fund, our Conservation Committee has supported the Woodland Park Zoo’s Thailand Hornbill Project. 

When it comes to conservation, the Asian Hornbill AZA Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program is a beautiful example of a very impactful action for wildlife. The program is also a symbol of hope and a memory of loving friends for staff at Woodland Park Zoo.

Poaching of hornbill chicks was unfortunately quite common prior to 1994, as people could earn extra income by selling the chicks in the illegal pet trade.

In 1978, Dr. Pilai Poonswad began research on the four species of hornbills found in Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. By 1994, her goal of protecting the species had multiplied to include all 13 hornbill species and extended into two other study sites—Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in 1991 and Budo-Su-Ngai Padi National Park in 1994.

Dr. Poonswad engaged directly with poachers and illegal loggers “to convince them to work with the Thailand Hornbill Project in research and education activities, in exchange for additional income.” Dr. Poonswad then came up with the idea of nest adoptions to support funding for the program.

The nest adoption program formally began in 1997, and there are now currently 40 local research assistants who observe and maintain over 140 nest trees in the Budo Su Ngai Padi area. Pretty amazing!

Woodland Park Zoo’s own connection to hornbills is twofold. First, they are an incredible species that rely on forest habitat to thrive—something folks in the Northwest connect and empathize with. Second, staff were extremely lucky to work with and know the ultimate hornbill expert and animal keeper, Eric Kowalczyk, and an extremely lovable bird named Blueberry.

Eric Kowalczyk often referred to his job at the zoo as a “hobby and they paid me.” Eric fulfilled his lifelong passion for birds at the zoo for 38 years.

In 1997, a sweet little hornbill hatched at Woodland Park Zoo… welcome Blueberry! “After she fledged (left the nest), Blueberry was brought into an off-view Conservation Aviary so she could be monitored more closely. I worked with her every day so we developed a very close relationship,” recalled Eric in 2017. Anyone who worked at the zoo during that time can remember just how much Blueberry loved Eric—their bond was special.

Eric wanted to name her “Blueberry” (after her favorite treat) in Indonesian, since that’s where knobbed hornbills are from. It turns out there is no word for “blueberry” in Indonesian, and naming her something close to that in Indonesian would have been long and complicated! So he started calling her “Blueberry” and it caught on.

For many years, Eric presented animal keeper talks on zoo grounds with Blueberry. “For me, she has been a very good bird. She was great with the public and was perfect for giving educational talks. I always looked at her as a means to spread conservation messages,” said Eric. Blueberry loved the attention from zoo guests and she was already the perfect “ambassador” for her species.

Eric was an active member and administrator of the IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group and began managing the hornbill nest adoption program. He was also the manager of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) studbooks for several species of hornbills in North America and created a “Friends of Hornbills” Facebook page.

After retiring in 2017, Eric started a weekly birding group at Sough Portage Bay in Seattle, close to his home. The group became a close-knit circle of friends who all learned to slow down, take time to enjoy nature and watch the birds.

Blueberry turned 20 in 2017, and the whole zoo celebrated teaching the old bird new tricks—she was now playing a big role in the Ambassador Animals program and being spoiled by her new animal keeper bestie, Regina.

Both Eric and Blueberry have since passed, but their bond and the lessons they taught thousands of visitors remain an inspiration to many of us.

Remembrances can be made in Eric’s memory to the Hornbill Nest Adoption program. Please note that your donation is in memory of Eric Kowalczyk for the Hornbill Nest Adoption Program.

Currently, there are 40 local villagers working in research for the nest adoption program. There are over 100 nest adopters in greater Thailand and overseas supporting the program.

Since 1994 local villagers have observed and protected 230 nests and currently 100 nests are being observed. In 2004, the Hornbill Research Project began installing artificial nest boxes due to lack of natural nest holes and suitable nest trees for the hornbills. There are 17 artificial nest boxes in Budo-Su-Ngai Padi National Park. Villagers check, repair and improve about 20 hornbill nest cavities every year.

We are grateful for the support from individuals and organizations such as El Paso Zoo for their donations to the nest adoption program and the integral work that members of Asian Hornbill AZA Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) continue to do. Our hope is that these majestic birds continue to thrive, and people find ways to coexist alongside their forest habitat.

Photos
Top – J. Maughn, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Cover – Khao Yai National Park, Bianca Polak, Wikimedia Creative Commons
All others – Thailand Hornbill Project and Woodland Park Zoo