HORNBILLS (BUCEROTIDAE) IN ELEPHANT CONCERVATION CENTRE (ECC) FOREST, SEBLAT BENGKULU

Hornbills (bucerotidae) are important as indicators of forest condition and human
disturbance because they need large homerange and tree hole for nesting. Hornbills were
protected by Indonesian regulation to conserve their existence in the forest. Population
study and food species are useful information to manage their habitat in the ECC (Pusat
Latihan Gajah). The study was conducted in December 2009 to January 2010 with survey
method. The results showed there were seven species of Bucerotidae found in the ECC
Seblat: Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil), Wreathed Hornbill (Aceros undulatus),
Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros corrugatus), Bushy-crested Hornbill (Anorrhinus galeritus),
White-crowned Hornbill (Berenicornis comatus), Asian Black Hornbill (Anthracoceros
malayanus), and Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros). The White-crowned Hornbill
has the highest density (6.413 ind/km2
), and Wrinkled Hornbill and Helmeted Hornbill
has the lowest density (1.466 ind/km2). Fruit plants are often eaten by hornbills in PLG
Seblat forest are a member of family Moraceae (Ficus spp), Myristicaceae (Myristica sp),
and Myrtaceae (Eugenia polyantha).