Around 11 AM, many office workers passing Nguyen Cong Tru street spotted a bird with a dark yellow, horned beak and black feathers with white stripes perched on a tree branch. The bird occasionally flew between the canopies, attracting the attention of passersby.

A great hornbill with a wingspan of about one meter perched on a tree branch in front of a high-rise building on Nguyen Cong Tru street, Saigon ward, on the afternoon of 8/5. Photo: Hoang Khanh

After taking photos and researching online, some individuals identified it as a rare bird and promptly reported the sighting to local authorities. Given the bird's appearance near Saigon Zoo, many residents initially speculated it might have escaped from the facility.

A representative from the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Department confirmed the bird's identity as a great hornbill based on the images. This species belongs to Group IB, a critically endangered and rare wild animal category strictly protected from commercial exploitation.

Authorities have advised the public against attempting to hunt or approach the bird. They urged residents to report any signs of weakness or danger to relevant agencies for appropriate intervention.

Ms. Vu Thi Huong Giang, Director of Saigon Zoo One Member Limited Company, stated that a thorough check of their great hornbill population revealed no escapes from their enclosures.

Dinh Van