Thunderbirds of Zululand: The Fight to Save South Africa’s Endangered Southern Ground Hornbills
- LionExpose
- Nov 14
- 2 min read
Protecting Zululand’s Thunderbirds: A Call to Action
THUNDER BIRDS 🇿🇦
Zululand...
"When they call out it is lucky as they call the Thunder and Rains"
A group of Southern Ground Hornbills we watched last year has grown!They move between a few places but staff on a farm close to a game reserve have not so far disturbed them.But it is being heavily developed for Soy beans and other agriculture.
South Africa’s Wild Population Is Critically Low
Across South Africa, there are only about 1,500 to 2,000 individuals left in the wild. Globally, they’re listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, but within South Africa, they are officially listed as endangered.
While many live inside protected areas, a surprising number make their homes in rural and communal lands - just like this brave little group we know.
Zululand’s Thunderbirds Under Threat
In KwaZulu-Natal, and especially Zululand, these birds have to coexist in human-dominated landscapes.Back in the day Zululand was one of the Thunderbirds strongholds, particularly in the north - from Richards Bay all the way to the Mozambique border.
But recent surveys paint a worrying picture: numbers of breeding groups have crashed. Experts believe there may be fewer than twenty-five breeding groups left in Northern Zululand.
Habitat Loss and Landscape Change Are Destroying Their Territories
Rampant habitat loss from sugarcane farming, mining, cattle expansion, and agriculture, along with the disappearance of the large nesting trees they depend on.
Bush encroachment, as is the case here, is breaking up their territories and threatening their survival.
Slow Breeders at Risk: Why Small Groups Matter
Even under the best natural conditions, a Ground Hornbill group might raise just one chick every nine years and they start breeding at around ten years old!
That’s why every safe nesting site or small grouos like these are very important.
Family Dynamics and Vanishing Nesting Sites
These birds are family-oriented and a dominant pair leads the group, with helpers and babysitting males pitching in during breeding. They build their nests in massive tree hollows, cliffs, or earth banks, but as those disappear, so do their chances of survival.
Poisoning, Power Lines and Traditional Use Increase the Danger
Dangers like secondary poisoning from lead bullets , pesticides, electrocution, power lines and firewood collection are threats.
Despite their lucky status of being rain callers that also works against these birds as traditional healers will use their body parts during drought times.
Let’s keep our eyes open and our voices loud for these extraordinary birds - the deep-throated drummers of the African bush.
©️LionExpose
Any organisations working in the KZN region please contact us about this little unprotected group.
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