Conservation of 'Dulungan' hornbill endemic to Western Visayas urged
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique (PNA) – Antique Provincial Board Member Jesselito Pio Sumande Jr. has called for the protection of the endangered “dulungan” or the Rufous-headed hornbill that could only be found in the Philippines, and is endemic to Western Visayan islands, particularly in Antique province.

Antique began the celebration of Dulungan Month last Monday, as mandated under Provincial Ordinance 2020-208.
Through the celebration, the provincial government aims to increase awareness and understanding, including the biology, ecology, and cultural values related to the existence of the endangered species, Sumande said.
It also aims to conserve and protect the dulungan, which Antique has adopted as its provincial bird.
“Our celebration yesterday started with a caravan from the Capitol to Barangay Flores of the municipality of Culasi where we had a program,” Sumande said on Tuesday.
He said some 100 provincial and national government employees, as well as representatives of non-government organizations and the academe, took part in the celebration.
A tree-planting activity was conducted as a part of the kickoff activities.
Sumande said the Dulungan is mostly found in the northern towns of Culasi and the neighboring town of Sebaste.
“There is an estimated population of 600 (birds) in the towns of Culasi and Sebaste,” he said.
This was based on the 2017-2019 study conducted by the Haribon Foundation, an organization that advocates biodiversity conservation.
Sumande said the foundation would spearhead the holding of free webinars on the conservation of the Dulungan for three Fridays starting August 14.