Feb 112012
Cleaning a large flight cage became quite an adventure when a pair of black-and-white hornbills were introduced. The male, in particular, became quite proficient at flying over keepers’ heads and delivering a smashing blow to the top of their head with his massive bill.
The keepers’ solution was to borrow a riot helmet from Security, complete with Plexiglas visor. Keepers wearing the helmet were safe from the bird’s attacks.
The finishing touch, however, was a small label that had been stuck on the front of the helmet: “Death Before Dishonor.”