The Southern Ground Hornbill is one of the most recognizable and beloved bird species encountered during trips to game reserves. Once far more widespread, they are now an endangered species rarely seen outside conservation areas. Their booming calls are often mistaken for roaring lions, and they hold significant superstitions in African culture. In SANParks, they can still be found in Kruger and Mapungubwe National Parks. Excitingly, they have recently been reintroduced to Marakele National Park, and some wild birds have been spotted in the area on their own. Although the introduced birds initially left the park, they returned, sparking hope for a stable, self-sustaining population. There is also a possibility that Ground Hornbills could be found in Addo Elephant National Park, as there are small populations in the Eastern Cape.
And then we spotted this group in the Kruger on a day safari in the world-renowned park!
