Artificial nest MARK III: THE BULLET-PROOFING EPISODE
This time around we actually had to bulletproof the nest. Ground-hornbills have possibly the strongest striking action of any avian species and it is something we have to learn to work around. The last prototype nest met all the specifications we wanted, and the hornbills loved it, but then over the period of a few months they sadly smashed the bottom out. So we returned to AMT Composites to seek material advice, and after much discussion, we all realised that bullet-proofing the floor, roof and lip of the nest was the only answer.
Kyle Brand, TUT Industrial Design Department, and our intern Alf Rewin, then spent a few days putting this beauty together. We installed it on top of the previous nest so they could simply choose which nest they liked.
We think the answer is clear!
WHAT IS IT?
The reintroduced group at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve just celebrated their 3rd anniversary free-roaming!
So we celebrated with cupcakes, designed by Sigourney Gunn, with an image of Karan Khaya watching out over his new territory. It is a wonderful achievement that required collaboration between multiple institutions and the care and dedication of all involved.
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The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) took effect on the 25th of May 2018. The GDPR is a step that the EU is taking to protect personal data. This is only required for EU citizens, but we would like to assure you that all of our subscribers are protected. We keep your data safe and keep you in control of it. If you receive news about the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project and event invitations from us, we hope you find these useful. However, if you would prefer not to receive them please contact us by emailing project@ground-hornbill.org.za.
The ground-hornbill conservation initiative is being aired on the South African conservation programme, 50/50 humans/nature, in August. We have also received some lovely write-ups in the Citizen, the Business Day and others.
LOSKOP DAM Reserve SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
#ThunderbirdThursdays
is our new social media campaign to showcase the beauty of the species. Share your images on social media, tag us, and yours might be the story we choose for the week.
And now we, and the ground-hornbills, await the summer rains so the breeding season may begin.....
our wishlist:
1 x washing machine, 1 x mini fridge, 1 x glass-fronted loackable cupboard for medical supplies in new vet room.
Photos by Heinrich Nel, Natasha Nel, Lucy Kemp (all MGHP) unless name credited with image.
