Nearly a year ago, a guide in Uganda captured extraordinary footage of a dinosaur-like shoebill that had landed on his boat and, rather ominously, appeared to dwarf his clients.
Innocent Muhumuza’s footage went viral, placing shoebills in the spotlight and luring tourists to Uganda to seek once-in-a-lifetime encounters with the colossal swamp birds. (See footage below.)
"The video has made a big impact,” Muhumuza, who guides for Uganda Shoebill, told me this week. "It has attracted many people to Mabamba Swamp, asking about the famous shoebill that appeared to be standing on a boat."
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Shoebills, which can stand 5 feet tall and boast 8-foot wingspans, are prehistoric-looking whether
they’re stalking in wetlands or in flight.
The birds are named for the shape of their bills, which can decapitate baby crocodiles. But shoebills are solitary by nature, prey largely on fish and smaller reptiles, and pose no threat to humans.
Shoebills, found in East and Central Africa, are listed globally as "Vulnerable" and at risk of extinction. There are perhaps fewer than 5,000 adult shoebills left in the wild, a sad reality that adds to their allure among birding enthusiasts.
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On the bright side, a spike in shoebill-related tourism has helped create awareness and strengthen protections in places like Mabamba Swamp on Lake Victoria's shore.
Said Muhumuza: "Today, almost every tour company in Uganda markets the Shoebill, unlike in previous years. Mabamba Swamp now welcomes visitors almost daily, many coming specifically to see this incredible bird."
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Giant 'dinosaur bird' that dwarfed tourists still leaving its mark
