World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Hyacinth Macaw, the Cobalt Giant of the Pantanal.

## Briefing
11 amazing facts about the Hyacinth Macaw Wrapped in brilliant cobalt-blue plumage and standing about a metre tall from beak to tail, the Hyacinth Macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ) is one of the most striking birds on Earth. Here are eleven facts that explain why this Brazilian giant fascinates birdwatchers and conservationists alike. 1. It is the largest flying parrot in the world At roughly one metre (about 3 ft 3 in) from head to tail tip, the Hyacinth Macaw is the longest parrot species and the largest of all macaws. Only the flightless kakapo of New Zealand outweighs it among parrots. 2. Its wingspan tops four feet Spread wide, the wings can exceed 1.2 metres (more than four feet), giving the bird a powerful, unhurried flight across open wetland skies. 3. The beak can crack nuts that defeat a hammer This is a palm-nut specialist. Its enormous curved beak cracks the rock-hard nuts of acuri and bocaiuva palms — a food source almost no competitor can exploit. 4. Its tongue has a bone in it Behind that crushing beak, the dry, scaly-looking tongue contains a small bone and is used to tap and taste food with surprising delicacy. 5. It nests in just one kind of tree In the Pantanal, pairs nest almost exclusively in cavities of the soft-cored manduvi tree ( Sterculia apetala ), a tight ecological link that ties breeding success to a single tree species. 6. It can live for decades Hyacinth Macaws commonly live 30 to 50 years in the wild, and individuals in human care have passed 50 years of age. 7. Pairs raise very few chicks Clutches hold only one or two eggs, incubation lasts about a month, and chicks do not fledge until roughly 110 days old — making the species slow to recover from any loss. 8. Its stronghold is the world's largest tropical wetland Most of the global population lives in Brazil's Pantanal, with smaller numbers in the dry Cerrado and along the southern Amazon fringe. 9. It is not naturally aggressive — but the bite is formidable These birds are gentle toward people by nature, yet their beak is among the most powerful of any parrot, so a bite can cause serious injury. 10. CITES gives it the strictest possible trade protection Listed on CITES Appendix I, commercial international trade in wild Hyacinth Macaws is banned — a response to the trapping that once devastated wild numbers. 11. It is recovering, but still vulnerable The IUCN classifies the species as Vulnerable, estimating around 4,300 mature individuals in 2021 with a declining trend. Brazil reassessed it as Endangered nationally after the 2020 Pantanal fires. For the full profile — taxonomy, range maps and conservation detail — see our Hyacinth Macaw species guide . Protecting this bird is mostly about safeguarding nest trees and palms; our partner-funded work in Brazil helps keep that field monitoring going, and you can support the parrot and macaw appeal if you'd like to help. Read the full Hyacinth macaw wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Hyacinth Macaw, the Cobalt Giant of the Pantanal.

## What makes the Hyacinth Macaw special?
It is the largest flying parrot in the world, with brilliant cobalt-blue plumage, a wingspan over four feet, and a beak powerful enough to crack the hard palm nuts that make up most of its diet.

## How many Hyacinth Macaws are left?
The IUCN's 2021 assessment estimates around 4,300 mature individuals (roughly 6,500 birds in total), with a declining population trend. Most live in Brazil's Pantanal.

## Are Hyacinth Macaws endangered?
The IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable globally. After the catastrophic 2020 Pantanal fires destroyed nesting trees, Brazil reassessed it as Endangered at the national level.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-how-big-strong-largest-parrot): How Big and Strong Is a Hyacinth Macaw? Meet the World's Largest Flying Parrot.

## Summary
A Hyacinth Macaw is the world's largest flying parrot: about one metre (3 ft 3 in) long, weighing 1.2 to 1.7 kg, with a wingspan over four feet and a beak powerful enough to crack rock-hard palm nuts.

## Excerpt
How long, how heavy, how wide its wings and how powerful its bite — a clear, source-checked answer to just how big the Hyacinth Macaw really is.

## Takeaway
The Hyacinth Macaw measures about one metre (3 ft 3 in) head to tail — the longest of any flying parrot.

## Takeaway
Adults weigh roughly 1.2 to 1.7 kg, with a wingspan exceeding 1.2 m (over four feet).

## Takeaway
Its beak is among the most powerful of any parrot, able to crack rock-hard acuri and bocaiuva palm nuts.

## Takeaway
It is long-lived, commonly reaching 30 to 50 years in the wild and over 50 in captivity.

## Takeaway
Despite its size and strength, the species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN with about 4,300 mature individuals.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-how-big-strong-largest-parrot): How Big and Strong Is a Hyacinth Macaw? Meet the World's Largest Flying Parrot.

## Briefing
How big is a Hyacinth Macaw? The Hyacinth Macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ) is the largest flying parrot on Earth and the biggest of all the macaws. Measured from the top of its head to the tip of its long tapering tail, an adult reaches about one metre — roughly 3 ft 3 in. No other parrot capable of flight is longer. Length, weight and wingspan Length: about 1 m (3 ft 3 in), head to tail tip. Weight: roughly 1.2 to 1.7 kg, making it one of the heaviest parrots that can fly. Wingspan: spread wide, the wings exceed 1.2 m (more than four feet). Only the kakapo, a flightless ground parrot, is heavier — so among flying parrots, the Hyacinth Macaw stands alone at the top. How strong is its beak? Size is only half the story. The Hyacinth Macaw's curved black beak is built to crack the rock-hard nuts of acuri and bocaiuva palms — a food source almost no other animal can open. A 2025 study of parrot bite forces published in the Journal of Anatomy measured exceptionally large bite forces in macaws, on the order of several hundred newtons, consistent with a beak that can split nuts that would resist a hammer. The bird is not aggressive toward people, but that same power means a defensive bite can cause serious injury. How long does it live? Big, slow and long-lived go together. Hyacinth Macaws commonly live 30 to 50 years in the wild, and individuals in human care have exceeded 50 years. They mature slowly, reaching breeding age around seven, and raise just one or two chicks per clutch — which is exactly why population recovery is so gradual. Why its size matters for survival A metre-long bird that depends on specific palms for food and a single tree species for nesting needs a lot of intact habitat. The IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable, with about 4,300 mature individuals in 2021 and a declining trend, and Brazil reassessed it as Endangered nationally after the 2020 Pantanal fires. You can explore the full profile in our Hyacinth Macaw species guide . Much of the conservation effort is quiet, long-term work — monitoring nests and protecting palms — and our partner-funded teams in Brazil are part of it if you'd like to help keep that work going . Read the full Hyacinth macaw wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-how-big-strong-largest-parrot): How Big and Strong Is a Hyacinth Macaw? Meet the World's Largest Flying Parrot.

## How big is a Hyacinth Macaw?
It is the largest flying parrot in the world, reaching about one metre (3 ft 3 in) from head to tail tip, weighing roughly 1.2 to 1.7 kg, with a wingspan of more than four feet.

## How strong is a Hyacinth Macaw's bite?
Its beak is among the most powerful of any parrot — strong enough to crack the rock-hard nuts of acuri and bocaiuva palms, and even coconuts — so a bite can cause serious injury despite the bird's generally gentle nature.

## Is the Hyacinth Macaw the biggest parrot in the world?
It is the largest flying parrot. The flightless kakapo of New Zealand is heavier, but among parrots that can fly, the Hyacinth Macaw is the largest by length.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-vs-lears-macaw-key-differences): Hyacinth Macaw vs Lear's Macaw: How to Tell the Two Blue Giants Apart.

## Summary
The Hyacinth Macaw is larger (~1 m vs ~70–75 cm) and a deeper cobalt blue than Lear's Macaw, and has a slim yellow band at the bill rather than Lear's larger rounded yellow patch; both are Brazilian Anodorhynchus macaws protected on CITES Appendix I.

## Excerpt
They are both big blue Brazilian macaws, but size, shade, face markings and rarity set them apart. Here is a clear, source-checked guide to the differences.

## Takeaway
The Hyacinth Macaw (~1 m) is markedly larger than Lear's Macaw (~70–75 cm), the quickest way to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
Hyacinth plumage is deep cobalt; Lear's is a duller, slightly greener blue.

## Takeaway
Face markings are the best field mark: Hyacinth has a slim yellow band, Lear's a larger rounded yellow patch at the bill base.

## Takeaway
Both are Brazilian, but the Hyacinth ranges widely while Lear's is confined to a small area of north-eastern caatinga.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the Hyacinth as Vulnerable and Lear's as Endangered; both are protected on CITES Appendix I.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-vs-lears-macaw-key-differences): Hyacinth Macaw vs Lear's Macaw: How to Tell the Two Blue Giants Apart.

## Briefing
Hyacinth Macaw vs Lear's Macaw: what's the difference? At a glance, the Hyacinth Macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ) and Lear's Macaw ( Anodorhynchus leari ) look like the same bird at two sizes: both are large blue parrots from Brazil in the same genus. But they are separate species with clear differences in size, colour, face markings, range and rarity. Size: the Hyacinth is noticeably bigger The Hyacinth Macaw is the world's largest flying parrot at about one metre (3 ft 3 in) long, weighing 1.2 to 1.7 kg. Lear's Macaw is distinctly smaller — roughly 70 to 75 cm long and around 950 g. If you can judge scale, size is the quickest clue. Colour: cobalt vs a greener blue The Hyacinth Macaw is a deep, uniform cobalt blue. Lear's Macaw tends toward a slightly duller blue with a faint greenish or teal cast, often with a more bluish-grey head, giving it a marginally less saturated look in good light. Face markings: the key field mark The most reliable difference is the bare yellow skin at the base of the bill. In the Hyacinth Macaw this is a slim, neat band of yellow around the lower beak and a narrow ring around the eye. In Lear's Macaw the yellow patch at the base of the bill is larger and more rounded, forming a noticeable teardrop-shaped lappet — the single best feature for telling them apart up close. Range: both Brazilian, but Lear's is far more localised The Hyacinth Macaw ranges across central South America, with its stronghold in Brazil's Pantanal and smaller populations in the Cerrado and southern Amazon fringe. Lear's Macaw is restricted to a tiny area of dry caatinga scrubland in north-eastern Brazil, where it depends heavily on licuri palm nuts. Rarity and status The Hyacinth Macaw is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with roughly 4,300 mature individuals in 2021. Lear's Macaw is rarer and more range-restricted; once Critically Endangered, intensive nest protection helped it recover enough to be reassessed as Endangered. Both are on CITES Appendix I, banning commercial international trade in wild birds. Quick comparison Length: Hyacinth ~1 m; Lear's ~70–75 cm. Colour: Hyacinth deep cobalt; Lear's duller, greener blue. Face: Hyacinth slim yellow band; Lear's larger rounded yellow patch. Range: Hyacinth across central South America; Lear's tiny part of NE Brazil. IUCN status: Hyacinth Vulnerable; Lear's Endangered. Want the full profile of the cobalt giant? Read our Hyacinth Macaw species guide . Both blue macaws owe their survival largely to patient, on-the-ground nest protection in Brazil — the kind of partner-funded work you can support through the parrot and macaw appeal if you'd like to help. Read the full Hyacinth macaw wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-vs-lears-macaw-key-differences): Hyacinth Macaw vs Lear's Macaw: How to Tell the Two Blue Giants Apart.

## How do you tell a Hyacinth Macaw from a Lear's Macaw?
Look at size, colour and the bill. The Hyacinth is larger (about 1 m vs 70–75 cm) and a deeper cobalt blue, with a slim yellow band at the base of the bill; Lear's is smaller, a slightly greener blue, and has a larger, rounded yellow patch at the bill base.

## Are Hyacinth and Lear's macaws the same species?
No. They are separate species in the same genus, Anodorhynchus — the Hyacinth Macaw is Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus and Lear's Macaw is Anodorhynchus leari.

## Which is rarer, the Hyacinth or Lear's Macaw?
Lear's Macaw is rarer and far more range-restricted; the IUCN lists it as Endangered, while the more widespread Hyacinth Macaw is listed as Vulnerable.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About the Proboscis Monkey, Borneo's Big-Nosed Swimmer.

## Summary
The proboscis monkey is a Borneo-only primate famous for the male's 10 cm hanging nose, its underwater swimming, and a cow-like fermenting stomach, and the IUCN classes it as Endangered with fewer than about 7,000 mature individuals remaining.

## Excerpt
From a nose that doubles as a loudspeaker to a stomach that ferments leaves like a cow's, here are ten things that make Borneo's proboscis monkey one of the strangest primates alive.

## Takeaway
A male proboscis monkey's nose can reach about 10 cm and works as a resonating chamber that deepens his calls.

## Takeaway
They are endemic to Borneo and among the most aquatic primates, swimming underwater for up to roughly 20 metres.

## Takeaway
A chambered, ruminant-like stomach lets them ferment tough leaves, producing their distinctive pot belly.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the species as Endangered, with fewer than an estimated 7,000 mature individuals left.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About the Proboscis Monkey, Borneo's Big-Nosed Swimmer.

## Briefing
Few animals look as improbable as the proboscis monkey ( Nasalis larvatus ), a leaf-eating primate found only on the island of Borneo. With a pendulous nose, a round belly and a talent for swimming, it breaks almost every rule we expect a monkey to follow. Here are ten facts that explain why. 10 fascinating proboscis monkey facts 1. The nose is a built-in loudspeaker A dominant male's nose can hang lower than his mouth and reach around 10 cm long. Research published in Science Advances shows it works as a resonating chamber, deepening his honking calls and advertising his size across dense forest. 2. Females choose the biggest noses Nose size correlates with body mass and the number of females a male attracts, evidence that sexual selection drove the trait through female choice and male rivalry alike. 3. Males and females look like different species Females and infants have small, neat, upturned noses, while males grow the famous droop. Males are also roughly twice the weight of females. 4. They are among the best swimmers of all primates Proboscis monkeys belly-flop from branches into rivers and can swim underwater for up to about 20 metres to dodge crocodiles or reach feeding trees. 5. They have partly webbed hands and feet Partial webbing between the fingers and toes helps them swim and spreads their weight on soft mangrove mud. 6. Their belly is a fermentation tank A multi-chambered stomach full of bacteria ferments tough leaves, similar to a cow's digestion, giving them their pot-bellied silhouette. 7. They live nowhere else on Earth The species is endemic to Borneo, shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, and clings to coastal mangroves, peat swamps and riverbanks. 8. Society runs on harems and bachelor bands Groups are typically one male with several females and young, alongside separate all-male bachelor bands that gather and split along the same river. 9. They are gentle and shy Despite their size, they are plant-eaters that avoid people and spend most of their time in trees near water. 10. They are Endangered The IUCN estimates fewer than 7,000 mature individuals remain after a decline of more than 50% in about 40 years, driven by habitat loss. Read the full proboscis monkey species guide for the complete picture. Protecting them means protecting Borneo's riverside forests. WARN channels donor support to local rescue and ranger teams in Indonesia and Malaysia who keep those mangroves standing. Read the full Proboscis monkey wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About the Proboscis Monkey, Borneo's Big-Nosed Swimmer.

## What is special about the proboscis monkey's nose?
The male's enlarged nose acts as a resonating chamber that deepens and amplifies his honking calls and signals his size and status. Females prefer larger-nosed males, and nose size is linked to body mass and mating success.

## Can proboscis monkeys really swim underwater?
Yes. They are among the most aquatic primates, with partial webbing on their hands and feet, and can swim across rivers and even underwater for up to roughly 20 metres to escape predators or reach feeding trees.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-how-big-and-can-they-swim): How Big Is a Proboscis Monkey, and Can It Really Swim Underwater?

## Summary
A male proboscis monkey typically weighs about 16 to 22 kg (up to roughly 30 kg) and measures 66 to 76 cm head-and-body, females are much smaller at 7 to 12 kg, and both can swim underwater for up to about 20 metres.

## Excerpt
Male proboscis monkeys can weigh up to about 30 kg and swim underwater for 20 metres. Here is how this big-nosed Borneo primate measures up in size, weight and aquatic skill.

## Takeaway
Male proboscis monkeys are large, about 16 to 22 kg and up to roughly 30 kg, with a head-and-body length of 66 to 76 cm.

## Takeaway
Females are far smaller, around 7 to 12 kg and 53 to 62 cm, reflecting a one-male breeding system.

## Takeaway
They are among the most aquatic primates, swimming submerged for up to about 20 metres.

## Takeaway
Partial webbing on the hands and feet aids swimming and movement across soft mangrove mud.

## Briefing
The proboscis monkey ( Nasalis larvatus ) is one of the largest monkeys in Asia, and one of the most surprising. Males are heavyweights with enormous noses, females are far smaller, and both are unusually at home in the water. Here is how they measure up. How big is a proboscis monkey? Size depends heavily on sex. Males have a head-and-body length of roughly 66 to 76 cm and typically weigh about 16 to 22 kg, with exceptional individuals reaching around 30 kg. Females are much smaller, around 53 to 62 cm and roughly 7 to 12 kg. Both sexes add a long tail of similar length to the body. That makes a big male one of the heaviest of all the leaf-eating monkeys. Why males are so much larger This strong size difference between the sexes is tied to their breeding system. A dominant male defends a group of females, so larger body size and a bigger nose help in competition and in attracting mates, while females stay compact. Can a proboscis monkey swim underwater? Yes, and this is where they outshine almost every other primate. Proboscis monkeys regularly leap from branches into rivers, often with a comical belly-flop, and can swim submerged for up to about 20 metres. They do this to cross wide rivers, reach feeding trees, and escape predators such as crocodiles. The body of a swimmer They have partial webbing between their fingers and toes, which improves their stroke in water and helps spread their weight on soft mangrove mud. Living their whole lives beside coastal mangroves, swamps and rivers, water is central to how they move and survive. How they compare at a glance Male weight: about 16 to 22 kg, up to roughly 30 kg. Female weight: about 7 to 12 kg. Underwater swim: up to about 20 metres. Lifespan: at least 23 years in captivity. For the full breakdown of biology and behaviour, see the proboscis monkey species guide . These river specialists only survive where their forests do, and WARN helps fund the local teams in Borneo working to keep those river corridors intact. Read the full Proboscis monkey wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-how-big-and-can-they-swim): How Big Is a Proboscis Monkey, and Can It Really Swim Underwater?

## How much does a proboscis monkey weigh?
Males usually weigh about 16 to 22 kg, with large individuals reaching around 30 kg. Females are much smaller at roughly 7 to 12 kg.

## How far can a proboscis monkey swim underwater?
They can swim submerged for up to about 20 metres, using partially webbed hands and feet, to cross rivers, reach feeding trees and avoid predators such as crocodiles.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-why-endangered): Why Are Proboscis Monkeys Endangered, and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## Summary
Proboscis monkeys are Endangered because Borneo's mangrove and riverside forests, which they cannot live without, have been cleared for oil palm, logging and development, cutting the population by more than 50% in about 40 years; conservation now focuses on protecting and reconnecting river corridors and mangroves.

## Excerpt
Borneo's proboscis monkey has lost more than half its population in about 40 years as its riverside forests are cleared. Here is why, and what conservation on the ground looks like.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the proboscis monkey as Endangered (assessed 2020), with fewer than an estimated 7,000 mature individuals remaining.

## Takeaway
The population has declined by more than 50% over roughly 40 years, driven mainly by habitat loss to oil palm, logging and coastal development.

## Takeaway
Forest clearing fragments groups along single rivers, leaving them isolated and more vulnerable to disturbance and hunting.

## Takeaway
Conservation centres on protecting river corridors and mangroves, supported by local rangers, community reserves and sanctuary teams.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-why-endangered): Why Are Proboscis Monkeys Endangered, and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## Briefing
The proboscis monkey ( Nasalis larvatus ) is classed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, assessed in 2020. The reason is tied to where it lives: the flat, water-rich lowland forests of Borneo that are also the easiest land for people to clear and convert. Why are proboscis monkeys endangered? This species depends on mangroves, peat-swamp forest and riverbank vegetation, and it cannot survive away from them. That habitat has been lost on a large scale to oil-palm plantations, logging, shrimp farming and coastal development. The IUCN estimates the population has fallen by more than 50% over roughly the last 40 years, about three generations, leaving fewer than an estimated 7,000 mature individuals across a fragmented range. It is also listed on CITES Appendix I, the strictest level of trade protection. Fragmentation makes things worse As forests are cut, surviving groups end up isolated along single stretches of river, cut off from one another. Small, separated populations are far more vulnerable to disturbance, hunting and snaring, and have fewer chances to mix and stay genetically healthy. What is being done to protect them? Because the problem is habitat, so is the solution. Effective conservation focuses on safeguarding river corridors, restoring degraded mangroves, slowing forest conversion and keeping patches of forest connected so isolated groups can move between them. On the ground, that work includes monitoring populations, reducing hunting and snaring, managing wildlife tourism so it does not stress the animals, and rehabilitating individuals orphaned or displaced when land is cleared. Why local teams matter most This is slow, place-based work that depends on people who know the rivers: local rangers, community-run reserves and sanctuary teams who can respond quickly when a group is cut off or an animal is displaced. The long-term task of habitat protection sits largely with established field organisations and government reserves, which local partners support rather than replace. The hopeful part Where mangroves and river corridors are protected, proboscis monkeys can persist, because intact forest is something we can defend and restore. You can learn more in the proboscis monkey species guide . A gift toward habitat protection helps WARN fund the in-country rescue and ranger teams in Indonesia and Malaysia keeping Borneo's riverside forests, and the monkeys in them, standing. Read the full Proboscis monkey wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-why-endangered): Why Are Proboscis Monkeys Endangered, and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## How many proboscis monkeys are left in the wild?
The IUCN estimates fewer than around 7,000 mature individuals remain, spread across a fragmented range in Borneo, after a decline of more than 50% over roughly the last 40 years.

## What is the main threat to proboscis monkeys?
Habitat loss is the main threat. Their mangrove, peat-swamp and riverbank forests are cleared for oil-palm plantations, logging, shrimp farming and coastal development, with hunting an added pressure in parts of the range.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Indus River Dolphin, the Bhulan That Swims on Its Side.

## Summary
The Indus River dolphin, or bhulan, is a nearly blind freshwater dolphin found only in Pakistan's Indus River system; it swims on its side, hunts by echolocation, is Pakistan's national mammal, and is Endangered with fewer than about 2,000 mature individuals.

## Excerpt
From swimming sideways to hunting in total darkness, here are 11 surprising facts about the Indus River dolphin, one of the world's rarest freshwater dolphins.

## Takeaway
The Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor), or bhulan, is the national mammal of Pakistan and lives only in the Indus River system.

## Takeaway
It is functionally blind, lacking an eye lens, and navigates entirely by echolocation.

## Takeaway
It famously swims on its side, trailing a flipper along the riverbed to find prey it cannot see.

## Takeaway
It was recognised as a separate species in 2021 and is classified Endangered, with about 1,987 mature individuals.

## Takeaway
Irrigation barrages have fragmented its range and cut its distribution by roughly 80 percent.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Indus River Dolphin, the Bhulan That Swims on Its Side.

## Briefing
Few animals are as strange, as specialised, or as quietly endangered as the Indus River dolphin. Known locally as the bhulan , this nearly blind freshwater dolphin lives in just one river system on Earth and behaves unlike almost any other cetacean. Here are 11 facts that capture what makes it remarkable. For the full picture, see our Indus River dolphin species guide . 1. It is the national mammal of Pakistan The bhulan holds official status as Pakistan's national mammal, a recognition of how tightly its survival is bound to the Indus River that defines the country. 2. It is functionally blind The Indus River dolphin has no crystalline lens in its eyes. It can probably sense only the direction and brightness of light, not images. In the silt-choked Indus, eyesight would be nearly useless anyway. 3. It "sees" with sound Instead of vision, the dolphin relies on a near-constant stream of echolocation clicks to map its surroundings and locate prey hidden in murky water. 4. It usually swims on its side One of its oddest habits: the bhulan typically swims tilted onto one flank, trailing a flipper along the riverbed, then rolls upright to breathe. 5. Females outsize males Unusually, females are the larger sex, reaching roughly 2.4 to 2.6 metres, while males stay around 2 to 2.2 metres. 6. It lives in only one river system The species is overwhelmingly confined to Pakistan's Indus, with only a tiny remnant lingering in India's Beas River. 7. It was named a full species in 2021 Long treated as a subspecies, the Indus River dolphin was recognised as its own species, Platanista minor , after genetic and skull studies published in 2021. 8. Fewer than about 2,000 remain The 2021 IUCN assessment estimated roughly 1,987 mature individuals, based on a 2017 survey, and lists the species as Endangered. 9. Dams reshaped its world Irrigation barrages have sliced its once-continuous 3,400 km range into fragments and cut its distribution by around 80 percent. 10. It hunts the river bottom Its diet is mostly bottom-dwelling fish such as catfish and carp, plus prawns and other invertebrates detected by sonar. 11. Its numbers have clawed back After dropping to a few hundred animals, decades of rescue and protection have lifted the population toward 2,000, a rare conservation bright spot, though it remains Endangered. The bhulan survives entirely within Pakistan, one of the countries where our partner-funded teams work. If this dolphin moved you, you can support river-habitat protection that keeps the Indus flowing for its last dolphins. Read the full Indus River dolphin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Indus River Dolphin, the Bhulan That Swims on Its Side.

## How many Indus River dolphins are left?
The 2021 IUCN assessment estimated about 1,987 mature individuals based on a 2017 survey. The species is Endangered, though numbers have recovered from only a few hundred decades ago.

## Why does the Indus River dolphin swim on its side?
Swimming tilted onto one flank lets the dolphin trail a flipper along the riverbed and detect bottom-dwelling prey by touch and echolocation in water where it cannot see. It rolls upright to surface and breathe.

## Where do Indus River dolphins live?
Almost entirely in the Indus River system of Pakistan, with a tiny remnant population in the Beas River in India.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-vs-ganges-river-dolphin): Indus River Dolphin vs Ganges River Dolphin: What's the Difference?

## Summary
The Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor) and Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) were recognised as separate species in 2021 based on distinct skull shape, genetic differences and long isolation; the Indus lives in Pakistan and the Ganges across India, Bangladesh and Nepal, and both are blind and Endangered.

## Excerpt
They look nearly identical and both are blind, but the Indus and Ganges river dolphins are now classed as separate species. Here's how to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
The Indus (Platanista minor) and Ganges (Platanista gangetica) river dolphins were recognised as separate species in 2021.

## Takeaway
The split was based on distinct skull shapes, fixed genetic differences and an estimated half-million years of isolation.

## Takeaway
The Indus dolphin (bhulan) lives in Pakistan's Indus; the Ganges dolphin (susu) ranges across India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

## Takeaway
Both species are functionally blind, hunt by echolocation, and are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

## Takeaway
Both face the same primary threat: dams and irrigation barrages that fragment their river habitat.

## Briefing
The Indus and Ganges river dolphins are so alike that scientists treated them as a single species for decades. Both are blind, both have long tooth-lined beaks, and both haunt the muddy rivers of South Asia. Yet in 2021 researchers concluded they are in fact two distinct species. Here is what separates them. For a deeper profile of the Indus animal, see our Indus River dolphin species guide . They were split into two species in 2021 A taxonomic revision published in 2021 examined skulls, body measurements and DNA and found the two populations had been reproductively and geographically isolated for roughly half a million years. The Indus dolphin was elevated to its own species, Platanista minor , separate from the Ganges dolphin, Platanista gangetica . The evidence behind the split Skull shape: the frontal bones behind the nasal openings differ consistently between the two, regardless of an animal's age, sex or size. Genetics: the two river systems share no mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, with fixed genetic differences pointing to long-term separation. Other traits: the species also differ in tooth counts, coloration and growth patterns. Different rivers, different names The Indus River dolphin, or bhulan , lives in Pakistan's Indus system. The Ganges River dolphin, called susu or shushuk , ranges across the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Their ranges do not overlap. What they share Both are functionally blind, lacking a crystalline eye lens, and both navigate and hunt by echolocation. Both are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and both face the same core threat: dams and water diversion that fragment their rivers. Quick comparison Indus River dolphin — Platanista minor ; bhulan; Indus River, Pakistan; Endangered. Ganges River dolphin — Platanista gangetica ; susu/shushuk; Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system; Endangered. Of the two, the Indus dolphin lives within a country where our partner-funded teams operate. If you'd like to help, you can back river-habitat protection that supports the bhulan's last strongholds. Read the full Indus River dolphin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-vs-ganges-river-dolphin): Indus River Dolphin vs Ganges River Dolphin: What's the Difference?

## Are Indus and Ganges river dolphins the same species?
No. They were long treated as one species but were recognised as two separate species in a 2021 taxonomic revision, based on skull, genetic and morphological differences.

## How do you tell an Indus River dolphin from a Ganges River dolphin?
By range and biology rather than by sight in the field: the Indus dolphin lives in Pakistan's Indus, the Ganges dolphin in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system. Scientifically they differ in frontal-bone skull shape, tooth counts and DNA.

## Are both river dolphins endangered?
Yes. Both the Indus and Ganges river dolphins are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, mainly because of dams and water diversion that fragment their habitat.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-why-blind-echolocation): Why Is the Indus River Dolphin Blind? How a Dolphin Learned to See With Sound.

## Summary
The Indus River dolphin is functionally blind because its eyes have no crystalline lens to focus images; it lives in silt-clouded water where vision is useless, so it evolved to navigate and hunt entirely by echolocation, emitting clicks and reading the echoes.

## Excerpt
The Indus River dolphin has eyes but cannot see images. Here's why it lost its sight and how echolocation lets it hunt in total darkness.

## Takeaway
The Indus River dolphin is functionally blind because its eyes lack a crystalline lens and cannot form images.

## Takeaway
It evolved to lose useful vision because it lives in extremely silty, dark water where eyesight offers little advantage.

## Takeaway
It navigates and hunts entirely by echolocation, emitting clicks and reading the returning echoes.

## Takeaway
It swims on its side, sweeping a flipper near the riverbed to detect bottom-dwelling prey.

## Takeaway
Its real threat is not blindness but dams and water diversion; it is listed as Endangered with about 1,987 mature individuals.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-why-blind-echolocation): Why Is the Indus River Dolphin Blind? How a Dolphin Learned to See With Sound.

## Briefing
The Indus River dolphin is often called the "blind dolphin" for good reason. It has eyes, but they cannot form images. Instead, this remarkable animal navigates one of the murkiest rivers on Earth entirely by sound. Here is why it lost its sight, and how it copes. For the full profile, see our Indus River dolphin species guide . It lives where eyes are useless The Indus carries enormous loads of silt, leaving its water thick and brown. Light barely penetrates. In an environment this dark, sharp vision offers almost no advantage, and over evolutionary time the dolphin's eyes degenerated. Its eyes have no lens The bhulan lacks a crystalline lens, the structure that focuses light into an image. As a result it is considered functionally blind. It can probably still detect the direction and intensity of light, enough to sense day from night or the shadow of an obstacle, but not enough to see shapes. How it "sees" with sound In place of vision, the dolphin produces a near-constant stream of high-frequency clicks and listens for the echoes that bounce back. This biological sonar, or echolocation, builds a detailed acoustic picture of the riverbed, obstacles and prey, even in zero visibility. Why it swims on its side The Indus dolphin commonly swims tilted onto one flank, sweeping a flipper just above the bottom. This posture is thought to help it scan the riverbed and detect bottom-dwelling fish such as catfish and carp, along with prawns and other invertebrates. It rights itself to surface and breathe. What this means for its survival Being blind is not the dolphin's problem; people are. Because it relies on a healthy, flowing river full of fish, anything that drains or fragments the Indus hits it hard. Dams and irrigation barrages have divided its range and cut its distribution by around 80 percent, and dolphins are regularly stranded in canals when flows drop. The IUCN lists the species as Endangered, with roughly 1,987 mature individuals. A sense worth protecting The bhulan's sonar makes it superbly adapted to its river, but it cannot adapt to a river that is drained away. Front-line teams in Pakistan rescue dolphins trapped in canals and work to keep enough water flowing past barrages. If you'd like to help, you can support river-habitat protection for one of the world's rarest dolphins. Read the full Indus River dolphin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-why-blind-echolocation): Why Is the Indus River Dolphin Blind? How a Dolphin Learned to See With Sound.

## Can the Indus River dolphin see at all?
Not in the usual sense. Its eyes lack a lens, so it cannot form images. It can probably only detect the direction and intensity of light, and relies on echolocation to find its way and hunt.

## How does a blind dolphin hunt?
It uses echolocation, emitting high-frequency clicks and listening for the echoes to locate prey such as catfish, carp, prawns and other bottom invertebrates in murky water.

## Why did the Indus River dolphin go blind?
It lives in heavily silt-laden water where light barely penetrates and vision provides little benefit. Over evolutionary time its eyes degenerated, leaving it functionally blind but highly tuned to sound.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Harpy Eagle, the Rainforest's Apex Raptor.

## Summary
The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is the largest and most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, with rear talons up to about 13 cm long, females weighing up to 9 kg, and a diet built around canopy mammals such as sloths and monkeys.

## Excerpt
From talons as long as a grizzly bear's claws to a single chick every two to three years, here are 11 fact-checked things that make the Harpy Eagle the most powerful bird of prey in the Americas.

## Takeaway
Harpy Eagle rear talons reach about 13 cm (5 in), similar in length to a grizzly bear's claws.

## Takeaway
Females weigh up to roughly 9 kg, far more than the 4-6 kg males.

## Takeaway
It is a canopy ambush hunter, preying mainly on sloths and monkeys.

## Takeaway
Pairs usually rear only one eaglet every two to three years.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable (2021) with a decreasing population.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Harpy Eagle, the Rainforest's Apex Raptor.

## Briefing
11 amazing Harpy Eagle facts, fact-checked The Harpy Eagle ( Harpia harpyja ) is the heavyweight champion of the Neotropical rainforest, a canopy hunter built on a scale that can look almost mythical. Here are eleven verified facts about this giant raptor. For the full species profile, see our Harpy Eagle guide . 1. Its talons rival a grizzly bear's claws A Harpy Eagle's rear talons can reach roughly 13 cm (about 5 inches) — comparable in length to the claws of a grizzly bear, and long enough to seize and crush prey in mid-air. 2. It is the most powerful raptor in the Americas No other bird of prey in the Western Hemisphere combines this much weight, grip and muscle. The Harpy Eagle sits at the very top of the rainforest food web. 3. Females dwarf the males A large female can weigh up to about 9 kg, while males typically weigh only around 4 to 6 kg — one of the most pronounced size gaps of any eagle. 4. Its legs are as thick as a human wrist Those heavy legs anchor the grip the eagle uses to lift prey approaching its own body weight, including sloths and monkeys. 5. It hunts inside the forest, not above it Rather than soaring over open country, the Harpy Eagle threads between trees on broad, rounded wings, ambushing animals in the canopy. 6. Sloths and monkeys are its staple diet It is a carnivore that targets tree-dwelling mammals, supplemented by opossums, porcupines, iguanas and snakes. 7. It raises just one chick every two to three years Pairs usually lay two eggs but normally rear only a single eaglet, giving the species an exceptionally slow reproductive rate. 8. The nest is enormous Breeding pairs build a massive stick platform high in an emergent tree, often a kapok, and reuse it for years. 9. Eaglets depend on their parents for months After an incubation of roughly 53 to 56 days, the young eagle fledges at around six months and lingers near the nest long after. 10. It can live for decades Harpy Eagles are generally reported to live around 25 to 35 years, which combined with slow breeding makes every adult bird precious to the population. 11. It is classed as Vulnerable The IUCN assessed the Harpy Eagle as Vulnerable in 2021, with a decreasing trend driven by deforestation and shooting. WARN's partners in Brazil and Colombia help protect nesting forest and care for rescued birds; you can read more on our habitat protection appeal . Read the full Harpy Eagle wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Harpy Eagle, the Rainforest's Apex Raptor.

## How big are a Harpy Eagle's talons?
A Harpy Eagle's rear talons can reach about 13 cm (5 inches) long, comparable to the claws of a grizzly bear, giving it a grip strong enough to crush the bones of its prey.

## What do Harpy Eagles eat?
They are carnivores that hunt mainly tree-dwelling mammals such as sloths and monkeys, along with opossums, porcupines, iguanas and snakes, striking from the canopy.

## How long do Harpy Eagles live?
Harpy Eagles are generally reported to live around 25 to 35 years, with similar lifespans in the wild and in well-managed captivity.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-how-big-strong-fast): How Big, Strong and Fast Is a Harpy Eagle? The Numbers Explained.

## Summary
A Harpy Eagle has a wingspan of about 176-224 cm, a female weight up to roughly 9 kg, rear talons near 13 cm long, and can reach around 50 mph (80 km/h) in short bursts, making it the most powerful raptor in the Americas.

## Excerpt
A Harpy Eagle can span two metres in wingspan, weigh up to 9 kg and grip with talons as long as a bear's claws. Here is what the science says about the most powerful raptor in the Americas.

## Takeaway
Wingspan is about 176-224 cm (close to 2 m), with a body length of 86-107 cm.

## Takeaway
Females weigh up to roughly 9 kg, among the heaviest of any eagle; males are 4-6 kg.

## Takeaway
Rear talons reach about 13 cm, comparable to a grizzly bear's claws.

## Takeaway
Harpy Eagles can reach roughly 50 mph (80 km/h) in short bursts toward prey.

## Takeaway
Their strength lets them lift prey approaching their own body weight.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-how-big-strong-fast): How Big, Strong and Fast Is a Harpy Eagle? The Numbers Explained.

## Briefing
How big, strong and fast is a Harpy Eagle? The Harpy Eagle ( Harpia harpyja ) is the largest and most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, with a wingspan of about two metres, a female weight of up to roughly 9 kg, and rear talons near 13 cm long. Below are the numbers, with the context behind them. For the full profile, see our Harpy Eagle guide . How big is a Harpy Eagle? Body length runs about 86 to 107 cm (34 to 42 inches), with a wingspan of roughly 176 to 224 cm — close to two metres. Interestingly, its wingspan is not the widest among eagles; the wings are deliberately shorter and broader than an open-country eagle's, an adaptation for steering between rainforest trees rather than soaring above them. How heavy is a Harpy Eagle? This is where the Harpy Eagle excels. A large female can weigh up to about 9 kg, placing it among the heaviest eagles alive, while males are much lighter at around 4 to 6 kg. That difference between the sexes is one of the most extreme of any raptor. How strong is a Harpy Eagle? Strength, not size, is the Harpy Eagle's defining trait. Its rear talons reach roughly 13 cm — about the length of a grizzly bear's claws — set on legs as thick as a human wrist. That grip lets it seize and lift prey approaching its own body weight, crushing the bones of sloths and monkeys as it strikes. Popular grip-strength figures of several hundred pounds per square inch circulate widely, but these are estimates rather than carefully measured values, so the safest statement is simply that the grip is powerful enough to kill mid-sized mammals on impact. How fast is a Harpy Eagle? Harpy Eagles are reported to reach around 50 mph (about 80 km/h) in short bursts as they accelerate toward prey through the canopy. They are not long-distance speed specialists like the diving peregrine falcon; their advantage is explosive acceleration and agility in tight forest, launching from a perch and closing the gap before the prey can react. Why these numbers matter for conservation A predator this large needs vast areas of intact forest and a steady supply of canopy mammals, which is exactly what deforestation removes. WARN's local partners in Brazil and Colombia focus on keeping nesting forest standing and caring for injured or confiscated birds; our habitat protection appeal explains the work. Read the full Harpy Eagle wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-how-big-strong-fast): How Big, Strong and Fast Is a Harpy Eagle? The Numbers Explained.

## How fast can a Harpy Eagle fly?
Harpy Eagles are reported to reach around 50 mph (about 80 km/h) in short bursts when accelerating toward prey, relying on agility through the canopy rather than sustained high-speed flight.

## How much can a Harpy Eagle lift?
Harpy Eagles can lift prey approaching their own body weight, allowing a large bird to carry off sloths and monkeys from the rainforest canopy.

## Is the Harpy Eagle the biggest eagle in the world?
It is among the largest and heaviest eagles alive and the most powerful in the Americas, though some other eagles, such as the Steller's sea eagle and Philippine eagle, rival or exceed it in particular measurements.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-vs-philippine-eagle): Harpy Eagle vs Philippine Eagle: How the World's Two Giant Forest Raptors Compare.

## Summary
The Harpy Eagle and the Philippine Eagle are the world's two largest forest eagles; the Harpy Eagle ranges across Latin America and is heavier (females up to ~9 kg) and rated Vulnerable, while the Philippine Eagle is a Philippines-only endemic rated Critically Endangered.

## Excerpt
They are the two largest forest eagles on Earth, but they live oceans apart and face very different odds. Here is how the Harpy Eagle and the Philippine Eagle compare on size, range, diet and survival.

## Takeaway
The Harpy Eagle (Latin America) and Philippine Eagle (Philippines only) are the world's two largest forest eagles.

## Takeaway
The Harpy Eagle is generally the heavier bird, with females up to ~9 kg versus ~6-8 kg for the Philippine Eagle.

## Takeaway
Both are canopy ambush hunters of tree-dwelling mammals such as monkeys.

## Takeaway
The Harpy Eagle is Vulnerable; the Philippine Eagle is Critically Endangered.

## Takeaway
Both are threatened by rainforest loss, shooting and very slow breeding.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-vs-philippine-eagle): Harpy Eagle vs Philippine Eagle: How the World's Two Giant Forest Raptors Compare.

## Briefing
Harpy Eagle vs Philippine Eagle: two giants of the canopy The Harpy Eagle ( Harpia harpyja ) and the Philippine Eagle ( Pithecophaga jefferyi ) are the two largest forest-dwelling eagles in the world, yet they evolved on opposite sides of the planet and now face very different futures. Here is how they compare. For the full profile of the American giant, see our Harpy Eagle guide . Where they live The Harpy Eagle ranges widely across Latin America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. The Philippine Eagle is found nowhere else on Earth but the Philippines, making it an island endemic with a far smaller total range. Size and build Both are heavyweights. A female Harpy Eagle can weigh up to about 9 kg, while the Philippine Eagle weighs roughly 6 to 8 kg. Their wingspans are similar — about 176 to 224 cm for the Harpy Eagle and around 184 to 220 cm for the Philippine Eagle. The Harpy Eagle tends to be the bulkier, heavier bird, while the Philippine Eagle is famously long-bodied with a shaggy crest. What they hunt Both are canopy ambush predators of tree-dwelling mammals. The Harpy Eagle specialises in sloths and monkeys; the Philippine Eagle takes monkeys, flying lemurs and other mammals. In each case the eagle sits at the apex of its rainforest food web. How they are doing This is where the two diverge most sharply. The Harpy Eagle is classed as Vulnerable by the IUCN (2021), with a broad but uncertain population and a decreasing trend. The Philippine Eagle is in far greater peril, listed as Critically Endangered, with only a small number of breeding pairs remaining on a handful of islands. The shared threat Both giants are undone by the same forces: the loss of large blocks of lowland rainforest and direct persecution by shooting. Slow breeding compounds the danger, since a single pair raises few young over many years. WARN supports partners in Brazil and Colombia working to keep Harpy Eagle nesting forest standing; our habitat protection appeal describes how that work is funded. Quick comparison Range: Harpy Eagle — Mexico to Argentina; Philippine Eagle — Philippines only. Female weight: Harpy up to ~9 kg; Philippine ~6-8 kg. Wingspan: Harpy ~176-224 cm; Philippine ~184-220 cm. Main prey: Harpy — sloths and monkeys; Philippine — monkeys, flying lemurs, other mammals. IUCN status: Harpy — Vulnerable; Philippine — Critically Endangered. Read the full Harpy Eagle wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-vs-philippine-eagle): Harpy Eagle vs Philippine Eagle: How the World's Two Giant Forest Raptors Compare.

## Which is bigger, the Harpy Eagle or the Philippine Eagle?
They are very close, but the Harpy Eagle is generally the heavier and bulkier bird, with females reaching up to about 9 kg compared with roughly 6 to 8 kg for the Philippine Eagle. Their wingspans are similar at around two metres.

## Are the Harpy Eagle and Philippine Eagle related?
Both belong to the hawk and eagle family Accipitridae and fill the same role as apex forest raptors, but they are distinct species in different genera that evolved on opposite sides of the world.

## Which eagle is more endangered?
The Philippine Eagle is far more endangered, listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered, while the Harpy Eagle is classed as Vulnerable with a decreasing population.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Giant Otter, the Amazon's River Wolf.

## Summary
The giant otter is the world's longest otter, a diurnal, highly social Amazon predator that grows up to 1.8 m, identifies kin by unique throat patches, eats 3 to 4 kg of fish a day, and is classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

## Excerpt
From a throat patch as unique as a fingerprint to a voice box with at least nine distinct calls, here are eleven facts that explain why the giant otter is one of the Amazon's most remarkable predators.

## Takeaway
The giant otter is the longest otter in the world, reaching up to 1.8 m nose to tail.

## Takeaway
Each individual has a unique cream throat patch that researchers use like a fingerprint.

## Takeaway
Family groups of 3 to 8 hunt by day and raise pups cooperatively.

## Takeaway
It is the most vocal otter, using a wide range of distinct calls to coordinate the group.

## Takeaway
Classed as Endangered by the IUCN (2021), with fewer than 5,000 mature individuals left.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Giant Otter, the Amazon's River Wolf.

## Briefing
The giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) is the largest, loudest and arguably the most charismatic otter on the planet. Locals across the Amazon call it the "river wolf" for good reason. Here are eleven facts that capture what makes this endangered predator so extraordinary. 11 things to know about the giant otter 1. It is the longest otter on Earth A full-grown giant otter can measure up to 1.8 metres from nose to tail tip, making it the longest member of the entire weasel family, the Mustelidae. 2. Every otter has a fingerprint on its throat Each animal wears a unique cream-coloured patch of fur on its throat. The markings are so distinctive that field researchers use them, like fingerprints, to identify and track individuals across years. 3. It hunts by daylight Unlike many predators, the giant otter is diurnal, relying on sharp eyesight to chase fish through shallow, sunlit water. 4. It is the noisiest otter alive Giant otters are intensely vocal. A peer-reviewed study of their calls documented a rich repertoire of snorts, screams, hums and warning barks; popular accounts often cite at least nine distinct vocalisations used to coordinate the group. 5. Families raise pups together A typical group of three to eight is built around one breeding pair, and older siblings help feed and guard the youngest pups. 6. It eats several kilograms of fish a day An adult puts away roughly 3 to 4 kg of fish daily, mainly cichlids, characins and catfish, and will also take crabs, snakes and the occasional small caiman. 7. It is a true apex predator Few animals threaten a healthy adult, and groups have been recorded driving off caimans many times their size. 8. Its fur is almost waterproof Dense, velvety underfur traps a layer of air and keeps the skin dry, which is exactly the quality that made it a target for hunters. 9. Hunting nearly wiped it out From the 1940s to the 1970s tens of thousands of pelts were traded internationally until CITES listed the species on Appendix I, banning commercial trade. 10. It is now Endangered The IUCN's 2021 assessment lists fewer than 5,000 mature individuals in fragmented, declining populations. 11. It cleans up rivers it can no longer always live in As a top predator it helps balance fish populations, yet gold-mining and mercury pollution are poisoning the very rivers it depends on. You can read the full story in our giant otter species guide . Brazil and Colombia hold some of its last strongholds, and supporting river-habitat protection there is one quiet way to help these families hold on. Read the full Giant otter wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Giant Otter, the Amazon's River Wolf.

## Why is the giant otter called the river wolf?
The name lobo del rio, or river wolf, comes from its pack-like family life and its loud, coordinated calls. Like wolves, giant otters live in cohesive family groups that hunt, patrol and defend territory together.

## What is the most unusual fact about giant otters?
Every giant otter has a one-of-a-kind cream throat patch. No two are identical, so scientists can recognise individual animals on sight and follow the same families for years.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-how-big-worlds-longest-otter): How Big Is a Giant Otter? Meet the World's Longest Otter.

## Summary
A giant otter grows up to about 1.8 metres (6 feet) from nose to tail and weighs roughly 22 to 32 kg, making it the longest otter species in the world, though the heavier-bodied sea otter rivals it for sheer bulk.

## Excerpt
Giant otters can stretch up to 1.8 metres nose to tail and weigh as much as a large dog. Here is exactly how big the world's longest otter really is, and how it measures up.

## Takeaway
Giant otters reach up to 1.8 m (about 6 ft) nose to tail, the longest of all otters.

## Takeaway
Males weigh about 26 to 32 kg and females 22 to 26 kg, roughly the size of a large dog.

## Takeaway
The sea otter rivals it for weight, but the giant otter wins clearly on length.

## Takeaway
Its long tail acts as both rudder and propeller for chasing fast fish.

## Takeaway
It is classed as Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 5,000 left in the wild.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-how-big-worlds-longest-otter): How Big Is a Giant Otter? Meet the World's Longest Otter.

## Briefing
If you have ever seen a giant otter glide past in an Amazon channel, the first thing that strikes you is the sheer length of the animal. So how big does the giant otter actually get, and what makes it the largest otter on Earth? How long is a giant otter? A giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) can reach up to about 1.8 metres, roughly 6 feet, from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. That long, muscular tail accounts for a large share of the total and works like a rudder and propeller in fast water. No other otter species grows as long, which is why the giant otter is described as the longest member of the weasel family, the Mustelidae. How much does a giant otter weigh? Weight is where the giant otter and the sea otter run close. A male giant otter typically weighs around 26 to 32 kg, while females weigh roughly 22 to 26 kg, about the size of a medium to large dog. The sea otter can match or exceed that weight but is shorter in overall length, so the two share the title of largest otter from different directions: the giant otter wins on length, the sea otter often on bulk. Why is it so big? Size pays off for a cooperative river predator. A long, streamlined body lets the giant otter accelerate after fast prey such as cichlids, characins and catfish, and an adult eats roughly 3 to 4 kg of fish a day to fuel that effort. Being large and living in groups of three to eight also makes the giant otter a formidable apex predator that can stand its ground against caimans. How does it compare to other otters? Giant otter: up to 1.8 m, 22 to 32 kg, the longest otter. Sea otter: shorter overall but heavy bodied, the bulkiest otter. Neotropical otter: a close South American relative at only about 0.9 to 1.3 m. Eurasian otter: around 1 to 1.3 m, far smaller than its giant cousin. For the full set of measurements, lifespan and biology, see our giant otter species guide . The species is Endangered, and the rivers where these big otters thrive are shrinking, so backing habitat protection in their last strongholds quietly helps keep room for the world's longest otter. Read the full Giant otter wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-how-big-worlds-longest-otter): How Big Is a Giant Otter? Meet the World's Longest Otter.

## Is the giant otter the biggest otter in the world?
It is the longest, reaching up to 1.8 m, which makes it the largest otter by length. The sea otter is shorter but can weigh as much or more, so the two are often described as the largest otters in different ways.

## How big is a baby giant otter?
Pups are born small and helpless after a gestation of about 65 to 70 days, in litters of one to five. They grow quickly with the whole family helping, but take months before they can hunt alongside the adults.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-vs-river-otter-key-differences): Giant Otter vs River Otter: How to Tell Them Apart.

## Summary
A giant otter is far larger (up to 1.8 m vs about 1.3 m), highly social and diurnal with a unique cream throat patch, while the neotropical river otter is smaller, mostly solitary and nocturnal; the giant otter is also Endangered versus the river otter's Near Threatened status.

## Excerpt
Both swim South American rivers, but a giant otter and a neotropical river otter are easy to tell apart once you know what to look for. Here are the key differences in size, behaviour and status.

## Takeaway
Size is the easiest clue: giant otters reach 1.8 m, neotropical otters only 0.9 to 1.3 m.

## Takeaway
Giant otters live in loud, cooperative family groups; neotropical otters are mostly solitary.

## Takeaway
Giant otters hunt by day, while neotropical otters are mainly active at night.

## Takeaway
Only the giant otter has a distinctive, individually unique cream throat patch.

## Takeaway
The giant otter is Endangered (IUCN); the neotropical otter is Near Threatened.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-vs-river-otter-key-differences): Giant Otter vs River Otter: How to Tell Them Apart.

## Briefing
People often confuse the giant otter with the smaller river otters that share its waters, especially the neotropical, or southern, river otter. Both are sleek, fish-eating swimmers of South America, but they differ in almost every important way. Here is how to tell a giant otter from a typical river otter. Size: the giveaway difference The clearest difference is scale. A giant otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ) reaches up to 1.8 metres nose to tail and weighs 22 to 32 kg. The neotropical otter ( Lontra longicaudis ) is far smaller, roughly 0.9 to 1.3 m long and only about 5 to 15 kg. If the animal looks as long as a person is tall, it is almost certainly a giant otter. Behaviour: pack versus loner Giant otters are intensely social, living in cooperative family groups of three to eight that hunt, patrol and rest together and are famously noisy. The neotropical otter is mostly solitary and far quieter. That alone often settles the identification: a tight, loud group of otters fishing by day points to giant otters. Daylight versus night Giant otters are diurnal, active in broad daylight, while the neotropical otter tends to be nocturnal or crepuscular, active around dusk and dawn. Time of day is a useful clue in the field. The throat patch Look at the throat. A giant otter has a bold cream or white patch that is unique to each individual. The neotropical otter has at most a faint, plain pale underside with no distinctive marking. Conservation status The two also differ on the Red List. The giant otter is classed as Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 5,000 mature individuals, while the neotropical otter is the less imperilled Near Threatened. Both, though, depend on clean, connected rivers. Quick comparison Length: giant otter up to 1.8 m; neotropical otter about 0.9 to 1.3 m. Weight: giant otter 22 to 32 kg; neotropical otter 5 to 15 kg. Social life: giant otter highly social; neotropical otter mostly solitary. Activity: giant otter by day; neotropical otter mainly at night. IUCN status: giant otter Endangered; neotropical otter Near Threatened. For a deeper look at the larger of the two, visit our giant otter species guide . Because the giant otter is the more threatened of the pair, supporting river-habitat protection in its last Amazon and Pantanal strongholds is a small, practical way to help. Read the full Giant otter wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-vs-river-otter-key-differences): Giant Otter vs River Otter: How to Tell Them Apart.

## How can I tell a giant otter from a river otter in the wild?
Check size, group and timing. A giant otter is up to 1.8 m long, travels in a noisy daytime family group and shows a bold cream throat patch. A neotropical river otter is much smaller, usually alone, more active at night and lacks the patch.

## Are giant otters and river otters related?
Yes. Both belong to the otter subfamily within the weasel family, Mustelidae, but they sit in different genera: the giant otter is Pteronura brasiliensis and the neotropical river otter is Lontra longicaudis.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/malayan-tapir-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Malayan Tapir, Asia's Black-and-White Forest Giant.

## Summary
The Malayan tapir is the largest tapir species and the only one native to Asia, recognisable by its black-and-white saddle coat, short prehensile snout, and watermelon-patterned calves.

## Excerpt
From its watermelon-patterned calves to its snorkel-like snout, the Malayan tapir is one of the rainforest's strangest survivors. Here are 12 facts worth knowing.

## Takeaway
The Malayan tapir is the largest of the five tapir species and the only one found in Asia.

## Takeaway
Its prehensile snout works like a short trunk to gather leaves and shoots.

## Takeaway
The bold black-and-white coat is camouflage that breaks up the body outline in moonlit forest.

## Takeaway
Calves are born dark with white stripes and spots that fade by about six months of age.

## Takeaway
Gestation lasts about 13 months, one of the longest of any land mammal, slowing population recovery.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/malayan-tapir-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Malayan Tapir, Asia's Black-and-White Forest Giant.

## Briefing
12 amazing facts about the Malayan tapir The Malayan tapir ( Tapirus indicus ) looks like an animal assembled from spare parts: the body of a small rhino, the snout of a tiny elephant and a paint job that belongs on a panda. It is one of the most distinctive mammals in Southeast Asia, and one of the most threatened. Here are twelve facts that capture why it deserves more attention. Size, shape and that famous snout It is the biggest tapir on Earth. Adults typically weigh 250-320 kg and can reach around 540 kg, measuring up to 2.5 m long. It is the only tapir in Asia. The other four living tapir species all live in Central and South America, making this the sole outlier. Its closest relatives are horses and rhinos, not pigs. All belong to the odd-toed hoofed mammals, the order Perissodactyla. The snout is a short, flexible trunk. Formed from the nose and upper lip, it works like a finger to grip leaves and shoots and pull them into the mouth. A coat that hides in plain sight The black-and-white pattern is camouflage. In dappled, moonlit forest the high-contrast blocks break up the animal's solid outline rather than advertising it. Calves look completely different. Newborns are dark reddish-brown with white stripes and spots, an effect often likened to a watermelon on legs. That baby pattern fades by about six months, when the adult saddle takes over. Water, food and a very slow family life They are excellent swimmers and will submerge and walk along riverbeds, using the snout like a snorkel. They are dedicated herbivores, browsing leaves, twigs, fruit and aquatic plants from well over 100 plant species. They are rainforest gardeners. By depositing seeds in their dung across a wide range, they help regenerate the forest. Pregnancy lasts about 13 months. At roughly 390-410 days, it is among the longest gestations of any land mammal, and females usually raise just one calf every couple of years. They can live 25-30 years, with some captive animals reaching their mid-30s. For the full profile, see our Malayan tapir species guide . Because this animal lives or dies by the forest around it, our partner-funded work in Indonesia and Malaysia supports the rescue and habitat teams who keep that forest intact; you can help quietly here . Read the full Malayan tapir wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/malayan-tapir-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Malayan Tapir, Asia's Black-and-White Forest Giant.

## Why do Malayan tapirs have black-and-white coats?
The high-contrast pattern is thought to be camouflage. In the broken, moonlit light of the forest floor it disrupts the animal's recognisable outline, making a large body harder to pick out at night.

## What is a baby Malayan tapir called and why is it striped?
A baby tapir is called a calf. Calves are born dark with white stripes and spots that help them hide among leaf litter and dappled light; the pattern fades to the adult black-and-white by around six months old.

## Is the Malayan tapir related to the pig or the elephant?
Neither. Despite a pig-like build and an elephant-like snout, tapirs are odd-toed hoofed mammals most closely related to horses and rhinoceroses.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/malayan-tapir-how-big-is-it): How Big Is a Malayan Tapir? Size, Weight and Why It's the Largest Tapir.

## Summary
A Malayan tapir is about 1.8-2.5 m long and 0.9-1.1 m tall at the shoulder, typically weighing 250-320 kg and occasionally reaching around 540 kg, making it the largest of the five tapir species.

## Excerpt
The Malayan tapir is the heavyweight of the tapir world. Here's exactly how long, tall and heavy it gets, and how it compares with its American cousins.

## Takeaway
The Malayan tapir is the largest of the five tapir species.

## Takeaway
Adults are about 1.8-2.5 m long and 0.9-1.1 m tall at the shoulder.

## Takeaway
Typical weight is 250-320 kg, with the largest individuals reaching about 540 kg.

## Takeaway
American tapir species are smaller, generally around 150-300 kg depending on species.

## Takeaway
Female tapirs tend to be slightly larger than males.

## Briefing
How big is a Malayan tapir? The Malayan tapir ( Tapirus indicus ) is the largest of the five living tapir species. A full-grown adult is a genuinely heavy animal, closer in bulk to a small pony or a young rhino than to anything you would expect to meet in a forest at night. Length, height and weight Length: roughly 1.8-2.5 m from snout to rump. Shoulder height: about 0.9-1.1 m, around waist height on an adult human. Typical weight: 250-320 kg for most adults. Maximum weight: the largest individuals approach around 540 kg. To put that in perspective, a heavy Malayan tapir can outweigh a fully grown male lion several times over, yet it moves quietly and is rarely seen. Why is it the biggest tapir? The four American tapir species, including the lowland, Baird's and mountain tapirs, generally fall in the 150-300 kg range depending on species. The Malayan tapir sits clearly above that band, which is why it holds the title of largest tapir. It is also the only tapir found outside the Americas, so the heavyweight of the family is also its lone Asian member. Are females or males bigger? In tapirs, females tend to be slightly larger and heavier than males, the reverse of the pattern in many mammals. Both sexes share the same black front-and-rear with a pale saddle across the back. How fast and strong is an animal this size? Despite the bulk, Malayan tapirs are surprisingly agile. They can run when startled, climb steep banks, and are powerful swimmers that submerge and walk along riverbeds using the snout as a snorkel. A cornered adult is strong enough to defend itself, which is one reason wild tapirs should never be approached. For the full set of measurements, lifespan and diet, see our Malayan tapir species guide . Keeping animals this size alive depends on keeping their lowland forest intact, which is the focus of the partner rescue teams our work in Indonesia and Malaysia helps fund. Read the full Malayan tapir wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/malayan-tapir-how-big-is-it): How Big Is a Malayan Tapir? Size, Weight and Why It's the Largest Tapir.

## How much does a Malayan tapir weigh?
Most adults weigh between 250 and 320 kg, and the largest individuals can reach around 540 kg, making the Malayan tapir the heaviest tapir species.

## Is a Malayan tapir bigger than a rhino?
No. A Malayan tapir is large for a tapir but still much smaller than a rhinoceros; an adult tops out around 540 kg, while rhinos run from roughly 800 kg to over 2,000 kg depending on the species.

## Are male or female Malayan tapirs bigger?
Females are typically slightly larger and heavier than males, the opposite of the size pattern seen in many other mammals.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/malayan-tapir-why-endangered): Why Are Malayan Tapirs Endangered, and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## Summary
Malayan tapirs are Endangered mainly because lowland rainforest is being cleared and fragmented for plantations and development, with road deaths, snaring and very slow reproduction compounding a decline to fewer than 2,500 mature individuals.

## Excerpt
Fewer than 2,500 mature Malayan tapirs remain, and the population is still falling. Here's what's driving the decline, and the work giving this forest giant a future.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the Malayan tapir as Endangered, with fewer than 2,500 mature individuals and a decreasing trend.

## Takeaway
The main driver is loss and fragmentation of lowland rainforest for plantations, logging and development.

## Takeaway
Road collisions and snares add further losses across fragmented habitat.

## Takeaway
Slow reproduction, one calf roughly every two years, means populations recover very slowly.

## Takeaway
Protection focuses on keeping forest connected, anti-snare patrols, safe road crossings and rescue of injured or orphaned animals.

## Briefing
Why are Malayan tapirs endangered? The IUCN lists the Malayan tapir ( Tapirus indicus ) as Endangered, with fewer than 2,500 mature individuals left in the wild and a population trend that is still decreasing. The animal is also on CITES Appendix I, the highest level of international trade protection. The reasons for its decline are mostly about the forest it lives in, and the people it now lives alongside. The main threats Habitat loss and fragmentation. Lowland tropical forest, the tapir's core habitat, is cleared for oil palm and rubber plantations, logging and development. As forest breaks into smaller patches, tapirs lose both food and cover. Road deaths. When roads cut through habitat, tapirs are forced to cross them, and vehicle collisions kill animals outright. Snaring. Wire snares set for other wildlife also catch tapirs, even where they are not the intended target. Slow reproduction. A female usually raises a single calf only once every couple of years after a 13-month pregnancy, so populations recover very slowly from any losses. Why slow breeding makes it worse Because each female produces so few offspring across her life, even a modest number of deaths each year, from a road, a snare, or a cleared valley, can tip a local population into long-term decline. There is little reproductive cushion to absorb the losses. What is being done Protecting Malayan tapirs comes down to keeping forest intact and connected, reducing deaths from roads and snares, and caring for animals that are injured, orphaned or displaced. In practice that means anti-snare patrols, wildlife crossings and warning signage where roads cut through habitat, and rescue teams able to respond when a tapir is hit by a vehicle or wanders into a plantation or village. Rescued animals may need months of veterinary care before release, and community education helps keep local goodwill on the tapir's side. You can read the full conservation picture in our Malayan tapir species guide . Our work does not run field stations directly; instead it funds vetted local rescue and habitat partners in Indonesia and Malaysia. If you'd like to back that quietly, our habitat protection appeal is a good place to start. Read the full Malayan tapir wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/malayan-tapir-why-endangered): Why Are Malayan Tapirs Endangered, and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## How many Malayan tapirs are left in the wild?
The IUCN estimates fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remain, and the population is decreasing.

## What is the biggest threat to Malayan tapirs?
The biggest threat is the loss and fragmentation of lowland tropical forest, much of it cleared for oil palm and rubber plantations, logging and other development. Road deaths and snaring add further pressure.

## Can Malayan tapir populations recover?
Recovery is possible but slow. Because females usually raise just one calf every couple of years after a roughly 13-month gestation, populations rebuild gradually, which makes protecting existing animals and habitat especially important.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/rhinoceros-hornbill-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Rhinoceros Hornbill.

## Summary
The Rhinoceros Hornbill is a large Southeast Asian rainforest bird famous for its horn-shaped casque that amplifies its call, its fig-based diet, and a breeding habit in which the female seals herself inside a tree cavity; the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable.

## Excerpt
From a mud-walled nursery to a horn-shaped crown that doubles as a loudspeaker, here are 12 standout facts about Southeast Asia's most charismatic rainforest bird.

## Takeaway
The Rhinoceros Hornbill is named for its hollow, lightweight casque, which curves up like a rhino's horn and amplifies the bird's call.

## Takeaway
Its loud honking duet and whooshing wingbeats can be detected from kilometres away in dense rainforest.

## Takeaway
Breeding females seal themselves inside a tree cavity behind a wall of mud and droppings, fed by the male through a slit.

## Takeaway
A fig specialist and key seed disperser, it can live around 35 years and is the national bird of Malaysia.

## Takeaway
The IUCN classes it as Vulnerable (2018) with a decreasing population, driven by habitat loss and hunting.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/rhinoceros-hornbill-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Rhinoceros Hornbill.

## Briefing
Few rainforest birds turn heads like the Rhinoceros Hornbill ( Buceros rhinoceros ). With a horn-shaped crown, a honking call that carries for kilometres and one of the strangest nesting habits in the bird world, it is a true icon of the forests of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. Here are twelve facts that capture why it matters. 12 facts about the Rhinoceros Hornbill 1. It is named for the horn on its head The bird's most famous feature is the casque, a curved, upturned structure above the bill that resembles a rhinoceros horn. Despite its bulk it is hollow and light, built from keratin over a thin bony core. 2. The casque works like a loudspeaker That hollow crown acts as a resonating chamber, amplifying the bird's voice so its calls project across the canopy. 3. Its call carries for kilometres Pairs deliver a loud, penetrating honking duet that can be heard several kilometres away through dense forest. 4. You can hear it before you see it Even the wings are noisy: in flight the wingbeats produce a distinctive whooshing sound as air rushes through the feathers. 5. Females wall themselves into the nest When breeding, the female seals herself inside a tree cavity behind a barrier of mud, fruit pulp and droppings, leaving only a narrow slit. She stays sealed in for weeks while the male passes food through the gap. 6. It is a fig specialist Figs are the staple of its diet, though it will also take insects, small reptiles, rodents and the eggs or chicks of other birds. 7. It plants the forest as it feeds By swallowing fruit whole and flying long distances, it spreads seeds far and wide, making it an important rainforest seed disperser. 8. It is a national symbol The Rhinoceros Hornbill is the national bird of Malaysia and the state bird of Sarawak, and it features in the cultures of many Bornean Indigenous peoples. 9. Pairs stay together for life These hornbills are monogamous and typically keep the same mate year after year. 10. It can live around 35 years Rhinoceros Hornbills are long-lived, reaching roughly 35 years, with some individuals surviving longer in captivity. 11. It needs big, old trees The species relies on tall, mature rainforest with cavities large enough to nest in, which is exactly the forest most often cleared. 12. It is listed as Vulnerable The IUCN uplisted the species to Vulnerable in 2018 because of habitat loss and hunting, and its population is decreasing. Why these facts matter Each quirk, from the resonating casque to the sealed nest, ties the bird to intact old-growth forest. Lose the big trees and you lose the nursery, the figs and the bird. You can read the full profile in our Rhinoceros Hornbill species guide . WARN's partner-funded work helps keep those forests standing; if it moves you, you can quietly support that effort . Read the full Rhinoceros hornbill wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/rhinoceros-hornbill-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Rhinoceros Hornbill.

## What is the most unusual fact about the Rhinoceros Hornbill?
Its breeding behaviour stands out: the female walls herself inside a tree cavity behind a barrier of mud, fruit pulp and droppings, leaving only a narrow slit through which the male feeds her for weeks while she incubates.

## Is the Rhinoceros Hornbill's casque heavy?
No. Although it looks large and solid, the casque is hollow and lightweight, made of keratin over a thin bony core, and it functions partly as a resonating chamber for the bird's calls.

## Why is the Rhinoceros Hornbill important to the rainforest?
It swallows fruit, especially figs, whole and travels long distances, dispersing seeds across the forest and helping it regenerate, which makes it a key species for healthy rainforest.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/rhinoceros-hornbill-how-big-size-weight-wingspan): How Big Is a Rhinoceros Hornbill? Size, Weight and Lifespan Explained.

## Summary
A Rhinoceros Hornbill is about 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 inches) long; males weigh roughly 2.5 to 3 kg and females about 2 to 2.3 kg, and the birds can live around 35 years.

## Excerpt
Rhinoceros Hornbills are among the largest forest hornbills. Here is how their length, weight, casque and lifespan actually measure up.

## Takeaway
Rhinoceros Hornbills are 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 in) long, among the largest forest hornbills.

## Takeaway
Males weigh roughly 2.5 to 3 kg; females are lighter at about 2 to 2.3 kg.

## Takeaway
The large orange casque is hollow and lightweight, so it adds less weight than its size suggests.

## Takeaway
They are long-lived, reaching around 35 years, with some living longer in captivity.

## Takeaway
Slow reproduction (usually 1 to 2 eggs per clutch) means populations recover slowly after forest loss.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/rhinoceros-hornbill-how-big-size-weight-wingspan): How Big Is a Rhinoceros Hornbill? Size, Weight and Lifespan Explained.

## Briefing
The Rhinoceros Hornbill ( Buceros rhinoceros ) is one of the biggest birds you will meet in the rainforests of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. So just how big does it get, and how long does it live? Here are the numbers. How big is a Rhinoceros Hornbill? Adults measure roughly 80 to 90 cm (about 31 to 35 inches) from bill to tail tip. That length makes it one of the larger members of the hornbill family and an unmistakable shape as it crosses a forest clearing. How much does it weigh? Males are heavier than females. Males typically weigh about 2,465 to 2,960 g (roughly 2.5 to 3 kg), while females weigh about 2,040 to 2,330 g (around 2 to 2.3 kg). In everyday terms, a big male can weigh about as much as a small domestic cat. How big is the casque? The curved orange casque is the bird's signature, but its size is deceptive. Although it sweeps prominently up and back over the bill, it is hollow and lightweight, built from keratin over a thin bony core, so it adds far less weight than its bulk suggests. How long do Rhinoceros Hornbills live? These are long-lived birds. They commonly reach around 35 years, and individuals in captivity can live longer still. That long lifespan comes with slow reproduction: pairs usually raise just one or two eggs per clutch, so populations rebuild slowly when forests are lost. How does it compare? Length: 80 to 90 cm, among the largest forest hornbills. Weight: males up to about 3 kg, females a little lighter. Lifespan: around 35 years, longer in captivity. Clutch: usually 1 to 2 eggs, incubated for about 37 to 46 days. Its size and longevity are part of why it matters so much ecologically: a big, far-ranging, fruit-eating bird disperses seeds across wide areas. For the full profile, see our Rhinoceros Hornbill species guide . Keeping the tall, old-growth trees these large birds need is the focus of WARN's partner-funded habitat protection work . Read the full Rhinoceros hornbill wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/rhinoceros-hornbill-how-big-size-weight-wingspan): How Big Is a Rhinoceros Hornbill? Size, Weight and Lifespan Explained.

## How big is a Rhinoceros Hornbill?
Adults are about 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 inches) long from bill to tail. Males weigh roughly 2,465 to 2,960 g and females about 2,040 to 2,330 g.

## How long do Rhinoceros Hornbills live?
They are long-lived, commonly reaching around 35 years, and some individuals live even longer in captivity.

## Is the casque heavy?
No. The casque looks large but is hollow and lightweight, made of keratin over a thin bony core, so it adds little to the bird's overall weight.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/rhinoceros-hornbill-vs-helmeted-hornbill-differences): Rhinoceros Hornbill vs Helmeted Hornbill: Key Differences.

## Summary
The Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) has a hollow, lightweight upturned casque and is Vulnerable, while the Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) has a solid keratin casque carved like ivory, very long tail feathers and is Critically Endangered; the two share the same Southeast Asian rainforests.

## Excerpt
They share the same forests and a horn-like crown, but one is hunted to the brink for its solid casque. Here is how to tell the Rhinoceros and Helmeted Hornbills apart.

## Takeaway
The Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) is Vulnerable; the Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) is Critically Endangered.

## Takeaway
The Rhinoceros Hornbill's casque is hollow and lightweight; the Helmeted Hornbill's is a solid keratin block carved like ivory.

## Takeaway
In the field, the Helmeted Hornbill has a bare red throat and very long central tail feathers; the Rhinoceros Hornbill has a feathered face and an upturned orange casque.

## Takeaway
Both share the rainforests of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula and rely on tall old-growth trees.

## Takeaway
Poachers targeting the Helmeted Hornbill also shoot Rhinoceros Hornbills, so threats to one affect both.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/rhinoceros-hornbill-vs-helmeted-hornbill-differences): Rhinoceros Hornbill vs Helmeted Hornbill: Key Differences.

## Briefing
Two of Southeast Asia's most striking hornbills, the Rhinoceros Hornbill ( Buceros rhinoceros ) and the Helmeted Hornbill ( Rhinoplax vigil ), share the same rainforests across Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. Both wear a horn-like crown, and confusion between them has deadly consequences. Here is how they differ. Rhinoceros Hornbill vs Helmeted Hornbill at a glance Scientific name: Rhinoceros Hornbill is Buceros rhinoceros ; Helmeted Hornbill is Rhinoplax vigil . IUCN status: Rhinoceros Hornbill is Vulnerable; Helmeted Hornbill is Critically Endangered. Casque: the Rhinoceros Hornbill's casque is hollow, light and curves upward; the Helmeted Hornbill's is a solid block of keratin. Main extra threat: habitat loss and general hunting for the Rhinoceros Hornbill; targeted poaching for the solid casque of the Helmeted Hornbill. The casque is the biggest difference The most important contrast is hidden inside the crown. The Rhinoceros Hornbill's casque is hollow and lightweight, which lets it act as a resonating chamber for the bird's calls. The Helmeted Hornbill's casque, by contrast, is a dense solid mass sometimes called hornbill ivory, and it is carved like ivory for ornaments. That solid block is precisely what makes the Helmeted Hornbill a target for poachers. How to tell them apart in the field The Helmeted Hornbill has a bare, wrinkled red or pale throat and a pair of extremely long central tail feathers that trail well beyond the rest of the tail, giving it a far longer silhouette. The Rhinoceros Hornbill has a feathered face, a shorter white tail with a single black band, and the familiar upturned orange casque. Why the comparison matters for conservation Mistaken identity is a real danger. Poachers seeking the Critically Endangered Helmeted Hornbill also shoot Rhinoceros Hornbills, so pressure on one species spills onto the other. Both depend on tall, intact lowland rainforest, and protecting that shared habitat protects them together. Learn more in our Rhinoceros Hornbill species guide . WARN's partner-funded habitat protection work supports the local teams keeping these forests standing for both birds. Read the full Rhinoceros hornbill wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/rhinoceros-hornbill-vs-helmeted-hornbill-differences): Rhinoceros Hornbill vs Helmeted Hornbill: Key Differences.

## What is the main difference between the Rhinoceros and Helmeted Hornbill?
The casque. The Rhinoceros Hornbill's is hollow and lightweight and helps amplify its calls, while the Helmeted Hornbill's is a solid block of keratin (hornbill ivory) that is carved for ornaments, which makes the Helmeted Hornbill a poaching target.

## Which hornbill is more endangered?
The Helmeted Hornbill is more threatened. The IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered, mainly due to targeted poaching, whereas the Rhinoceros Hornbill is listed as Vulnerable.

## Do Rhinoceros and Helmeted Hornbills live in the same place?
Yes. Both occur in the lowland rainforests of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, and their ranges overlap, which is one reason they are sometimes confused.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/clouded-leopard-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Clouded Leopard, the Forest's Acrobat Cat.

## Summary
Clouded leopards are mid-sized arboreal Asian cats famous for the longest canine teeth of any living cat relative to body size (about 4 cm) and ankles that rotate roughly 180 degrees, letting them climb down trees headfirst; two species exist and both are Vulnerable.

## Excerpt
From sabre-tooth-style canines to ankles that swivel 180 degrees, here are 12 original, sourced facts about the clouded leopard, one of Asia's most elusive wild cats.

## Takeaway
Two species exist: the mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) and the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi).

## Takeaway
Relative to body size, clouded leopards have the longest canine teeth of any living cat, around 4 cm.

## Takeaway
Ankle joints that rotate roughly 180 degrees let them descend trees headfirst and hang from branches by their hind feet.

## Takeaway
They are shy, largely nocturnal and pose no meaningful danger to humans.

## Takeaway
Both species are assessed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with the Bornean and Sumatran subspecies rated Endangered.