Abstract

Two additional giant hornbills (Buceros bicornis) succumbed in the past year to invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the casque for a total of nine (6.3) birds. This has been documented in the literature previously in three cases. To date, this condition has been uniformly fatal, but advances are made with each case that may facilitate future resolution. Early detection of the neoplasm is essential to have a potential chance of recovery. It is strongly encouraged that this species be evaluated annually with a full radiographic series of the skull and casque. A project coordinated by the veterinary advisor is seeking an underlying cause for this condition though carotenoid pigmentation of the casque.

The project of creating a uniform bibliography (natural history and veterinary) for the Order continued this year. The first installment of over 250 citations were placed on the website (www.coraciiformestag.com/) for free access. These citations are available through the veterinary advisors. Further installments will be available by the end of August 2004.

This year, a substantial effort was undertaken to categorize the pathology reports for the Order, 1990–2003. At the time of this abstract, 37 entries had been made from 59 institutions into a database, with 5 institutions reporting no deaths within the time period. Once completed, the database will be available for searches for comparison to future cases on request to the veterinary advisors. It is also a reminder to provide current pathology (gross and histopathology) reports to the advisors for inclusion in the annual updates routinely planned.

Trends identified in the database accumulated to date:

• Hemochromatosis often suggested for the Asian hornbill species has not been confirmed.
• Tetrameres sp. have been identified at necropsy in several species of the Order and, in at least one hornbill case, was associated with proventricular pathology.