Recent distribution and protection of oriental pied hornbill in the Guangxi Xidaming Mountain Nature Reserve

We surveyed the population and distribution of Anthracoceros albirostris in three forest regions(Fenghuang Mountain, Xidaming Mountain and Xiaoming Mountain) of the Xidaming Mountain Nature Reserve in December 2004,October 2005,April 2006, December 2006 and May 2007 by using point count and interview methods.The results showed that the number of Oriental Pied Hornbill was 53±8,with the population density of 0.088 ind·km~(-2) calculated by the area of Nature Reserve and 0.23 ind·km~(-2) calculated by the coverage area of forest.There were 41±5 birds in Fenghuang Mountain and Xidaming Mountain,30 birds less than in 2000.Only 12 birds were found in Xiaoming Mountain.The Oriental Pied Hombill is critically endangered in the Xidaming Mountain Nature Reserve.The natural forests are not well protected,and human activities like deforesting,logging,poaching and hunting occur in most areas except in the peak of west Xidaming Mountain and east Xiaoming Mountain,leading to a decrease of Oriental Pied Hombill population in the past 30 years.We should pay more attention to the conservation of wildlife,especially the Oriental Pied Hornbill,one endangered animal in the nature reserve.