"The two countries jointly explore the path of ecological protection and sustainable development, showcasing the wisdom of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature and contributing a cooperation model to the world," Ding said.

The Legend of Oriental Pied Hornbill is China's first documentary on the rare species. It narrates the conservation story of the level-1 protected bird in China. Its population in Guangxi has transitioned from endangered to thriving.

Through long-term tracking and filming, the program has accumulated the richest collection of hornbill footage in the country, unveiling the magical stories of hornbill families in different nests such as tall tree holes, short tree holes, karst caves, and artificial nest boxes with a touch of humanistic care.

It also tells the heartwarming story of cross-border cooperation between the Chinese Oriental pied hornbill research team, led by researcher Que Tengcheng of the Guangxi Terrestrial Wildlife Rescue and Epidemic Surveillance Research Center, and conservationists from the Thailand Hornbill Research Foundation. They worked together to promote the growth of the Oriental pied hornbill population in China.

Hornbills are flagship species of tropical rainforests, and their survival directly reflects the health of forest ecosystems.

Guangxi is the largest habitat for the Oriental pied hornbill in China, Ding said. Before the 1970s, the hornbill was widely distributed in southwestern Guangxi, but due to hunting and habitat loss, the population plummeted to less than 100 individuals, putting their survival at risk.

Thailand is home to 13 hornbill species and is a leader in Asian hornbill research and conservation, providing valuable insights for the protection of the Oriental pied hornbill in Guangxi, Ding said.