Black Market Demand for 'Red Ivory' Is Dooming This Rare Bird | Short Film Showcase
In the pristine rainforests of Borneo, there's a hidden battle between groups of poachers and wildlife photographers. They both share the same mission: finding the helmeted hornbill, an iconic bird pushed to the very brink of extinction due to poaching. [Music] This group of poachers have been operating since 2009, killing around a hundred helmeted hornbills to sell on the black market. But the birds are getting more and more difficult to find. They have to, the endangered helmeted hornbill, which is becoming extremely rare in Borneo rainforest. It is the only hornbill species in the world whose cask is composed of ivory light material.
But not everyone is out to kill the helmeted hornbill; it also has many protectors. We are now driving into one of the poorest reserves in Sabah. There are many animals and wildlife that can be found in this forest, especially many varieties of species of hornbill: pied hornbill, black hornbill, reform bill, rhinoceros hornbill, and the ultimate helmeted marvel. This is one of the oldest rainforests, and it's one of the largest forest reserves in Sabah, and we hope to find what we're targeting.
We helmet. I see young gibbon, a locust in Japanese, another city needle monkey, then about this young their avatar to dinner and more flora. Brunoise, hello, palma de rehén de tomate, erskine, young gatos. Wat, often but when W 2 square of gravity' focus it to us. [Music] What's special about the helmeted hornbill is it's a large bird. It has a very long tail, it has a red neck. It's different from the other smaller hornbills, and they are rare; they are much rarer than the other hornbills, and it's harder to find. So if you find one, it's a great feeling, you know. To find one, it's not easy; you've got to go out in the jungle and track them and listen to them.
After three days hiking in Betim Carajo National Park, poachers Anto and Umberto couldn't find any helmeted hornbill. [Music] [Music] [Music] Bharani to Baja mechanic, a tough winter. Tari tari - oh yeah yeah, McGavin da da, another situation to another own - maja mechanic it up in Derry - oh yeah. [Music] [Music]
800 miles away on the Malaysian side of Borneo, wildlife photographer David NT searches for the helmeted hornbill to promote its value alive. Here in this area, in the lowland forest, when I walk to the forest and I hear them, I get excited, you know. Once you're near, your feeling is different. You want to capture the sound and the behavior of the hornbill. It's a very exciting moment when I see them. My fears for the helmeted hornbill since there are poaching actively in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, and I think they are now in Malaysia. So I'm worried about our population here in Sabah. [Music]
The near extinction of the hornbill depends on a network of smugglers. One of the biggest centers is Potosi BAU, where a smuggler agreed to explain how the trade operates if his identity was obscured. Calendula Ranko, who CC ee from the reaper drama to Columbia Lima program, katas dari a longshot, oh poor Lavinia. Nam Utah in its Victor Garcia, I under do care Anika. New da dee da ba, Dei Gratia to me, unlikely ocarina. Yeah, Ida me Jamie in evil enough. Skeeter Naruto Emily, man you talk to me passe ici à la jolla Mooney opium. Dadd Onegin DC upon to the beginning target impose an or imodium criminal morally on a Margita.
The trade with China is extensive, especially for traditional remedies for which no scientific evidence exists. This preserved pangolin is the most poached mammal in the world. [Music] The deepest maybe stuff these men are dire key man who live in some guy who teak. They are the custodians of one of the helmeted hornbills' last remaining nesting areas. Terrible car guitar; they patrol the forest to prevent poachers coming onto their land. But with over 9,000 hectares to protect, the task is far from easy. Oh yeah, that sounds like it. A salary cigar dolo Rock to Qatar, the burble probably don't attend to that. Antennas to our Idol sir Kalani to certain Asuka - amber Puna McAlary to literally noon that is Kara sample blocking Valentina.
Meanwhile, in the village Dyke, people celebrate their spiritual connection with the hornbills. They consider them messengers of the spirits and symbols of virility. A pig is sacrificed to appease the gods and spirits and to receive blessings from them. The pig's blood is then offered to the gods as a sign of respect. [Music] After the ceremony, the local leaders saw the footage of the smuggler. Their deep knowledge of the helmeted hornbills' behavior underscored why poaching was the primary cause for this bird's extinction. Buddhists were trying to look for this helmet.
Finally, at midday today, we heard a call again. This is the fourth day we heard the call, and suddenly from nowhere, you know, right across the river, it just went over our head and perched on the big tree when they finally flew across my head. Yeah, yeah, and I was clicking away, you know, like terror. It's the feeling of getting the shot; it's fantastic because it's hard work, you know. You're trying to look for it for days, we're trying to listen and track in the forest. So it's incredibly amazing. I'm very pleased and exhausted. [Music] [Music] [Music] You, you. [Music]