Killat Collective launches ongoing initiative to support the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project
The initiative entails Killat donating 20% of profits from all hornbill shirts and from all black and red products to support ongoing conservation efforts. The tees are now available in our South African and international online stores.
If you ask anyone on our team where we draw most of our inspiration from, the answer you’ll hear most often is nature. Whenever we go out for a run, a stroll, or a bike ride, we come back with new ideas for patterns and concepts.
Earlier this year, we were experimenting with hornbill t-shirt designs and testing out screen printing in Ronald’s studio in Johannesburg. While we worked, we found ourselves talking more and more about the birds themselves. The hornbill family includes 62 species, some of which are truly remarkable, like the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, known for its distinctive call that’s sometimes described as breaking into laughter: woh-woh-woh-woh-WAH-WAH-WAH-WAH.
The Southern Ground Hornbill
One of the most iconic species is the Southern Ground Hornbill, known for its striking red and black coloration. It’s partly what inspired our move toward black bags with a red logo, instead of blue. Fun fact: although they can fly, these birds prefer to walk and spend most of their time on the ground.
Unfortunately, the Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is currently classified as Endangered in South Africa, with an estimated wild population of around 1,500 individuals. About a third of these live in protected areas like Kruger National Park, while the rest face threats such as habitat loss, poisoning, electrocution, and persecution.
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- Field recordings
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- The Scenery
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- Stare off
A symbol of freedom, resilience and bold presence
At Killat Collective, the hornbill is more than a logo – it represents freedom, resilience, and bold presence. We felt compelled to help protect it. So we reached out to Dr. Lucy Kemp from the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project, and launched an ongoing initiative: 20% of profits from all hornbill shirts and all black/red products will be donated to support their conservation efforts.
Being the scientist she is, Lucy quickly pointed out that the Southern Ground Hornbill and the Protea flower don’t naturally occur in the same regions, but we like to think of this as our artistic interpretation, combining two of our favorites. So now, when you wear the hornbill shirt or any of the other selected pieces, you’re helping protect one of Africa’s most iconic birds.
We’re proud to share that the Mabula Project field staff are now using our bags during their conservation work. Consider donating directly if you’re not in need of more product.
Hornbill tees and selected Killat products
South Africa shop (free shipping in November)
• Everyday socks in black and red.
• Screen printed Hornbill shirts in black, navy and white (second batch, printed in Jo’burg)
• The polycotton cap in black with red logo.
• The corduray cap in black with red logo.
International shop (EU, free shipping in November)
• Everyday socks in black and red.
• Screen printed Hornbill shirts in pink or white (first batch, handmade by Ronald in Jo’burg)
• The polycotton cap in black with red logo.
• 1680 ripstop Wax Moon in rip black with red logo.