Winner / State of the World / State of the World / Environmental issues

• Prize
  Winner in State of the World/Environmental issues
• Photographer
  Tim Laman, United States
• Category
  Environmental issues

The Helmeted Hornbill faces extinction from poaching driven by demand for its “ivory-like” casque, carved into art for sale. Inhabiting rainforests from Thailand to Indonesia, this is a bird of ancient lineage with fascinating behavior. The female seals herself inside a hollow tree, and is provisioned by the male for 5 months. Its unique head ornament, made of solid keratin, has led to a surge in the illegal wildlife trade, prompting the IUCN to raise it’s status to “Critically Endangered”. The future is uncertain for Helmeted Hornbills unless the demand on their heads can be eliminated.