Goodbye Brompie

Yes - Brompie is free. We released him this morning. I did of course shed a tear but I'm sure he'll be just fine. I'm just constantly amazed at how all creatures just have such a will to survive and Brompie is no exception. We heard the other ground hornbills early morning so we put some food outside his cage, opened the door and waited. Within a couple of minutes he came out, picked up a bit of food and then must have realised that he's actually free, so he left the rest of the food and took off in the direction where we heard the other birds. What a beautiful sight that was. On recommendation from Dee and colleagues at the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project, I'll be leaving some food out for him for another few days, in case he's having a hard time feeding himself. They are very intelligent birds and he'll remember that this was the last place he fed and will return if he's hungry. Goodbye Brompie - we wish you all the best. Pierre captured this moment of action below.