SUBMISSION: Trust by Jacklyn Gratzfeld

"This oil painting was created for the 2014 Endangered Contest. My goal is to combine art with nature preservation and give a voice to the part of nature that cannot speak. Great Hornbills symbolize the existence of tropical rainforest. These affectionate monogamous birds are trusting. The female lays eggs in an ancient tree hollow and the pair seal her and the eggs inside. She molts there and totally relies on her mate to feed her and their chicks. Once the chicks are ready to learn to fly the seal is broken. Years ago treking in Thailand I fell in love with tropical rainforests. Climate change is endangering the Great Hornbill there. Higher average air temperatures cause their eggs to become more brittle. Fewer chicks survive. The existence of large tracts of intact rainforest and the Great Hornbill are becoming endangered. As palm oil plantations replace the last areas of ancient rainforest, the continued existence of these beautiful birds gives me hope. We must live up to the task we are entrusted with and protect them." Jacklyn is generously donating 50% of the proceeds of this wonderful piece to the Center for Great Apes. We would like to thank her for her generosity and congratulate her on her wonderful art. For more art by Jacklyn Gratzfeld please visit her website www.artiswild.com.