Shared Responsibility for Safe Haven

Tangalan, Aklan- The critically endangered Walden’s Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus waldeni), locally known as Dulungan, is showing encouraging signs of recovery and behavioral progress following its successful turnover. This ongoing success highlights the power of collective action between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) communities, and specialized wildlife personnel in preserving Panay Island’s rich natural resources.

The rescue chain began when Mr. Davey Al Z. Zaballero voluntarily turned over the rare bird to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR- PENRO) Aklan on June 28, 2026.

Currently, the bird is housed at the Wildlife Rescue Center in Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan. Under the supervision of wildlife specialists and veterinary personnel, the hornbill is undergoing continuous evaluation to monitor its alertness, wing motility, and foraging behaviors within a secure enclosure specifically designed to minimize human imprinting, preserving its natural wild instincts so it has the best chance of returning to the wild.

This multi-sectoral partnership, with the active involvement from the community, the government oversight, and expert rehabilitation facilities, demonstrates that collaboration serves as the ultimate defense against wildlife loss. Moreover, the DENR 6 reminds the public that under Republic Act No. 9147 (the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act), protecting wild species is a shared legal and moral responsibility, and encourages citizens to continue reporting w “ildlife sightings, turn- overs, and rescues to local authorities.

Recognizing the hornbill’s ecological significance as one of Panay’s “Big Five” flagship species and the “farmer of the forest for its crucial role in dispersing large rainforest seeds, a single rehabilitated Walden’s Hornbill plays important role in maintaining ecosystem health and balance.