Kruger National Park, located within South Africa, lists southern ground hornbills as one of their ‘Big Six’ bird species.

They require a savanna habitat with large trees for nesting and dense but short grass for foraging.

Southern ground hornbill groups are very vocal: contact is made by calls in chorus which can usually be heard at distances of up to 3 kilometres (1.86 mi).

[19] The southern ground hornbill is an obligate cooperative breeder, with each breeding pair always assisted by at least two other birds.

[23] The southern ground hornbill is classed as vulnerable to extinction globally; however, in South Africa, where most studies on the species have been carried out, it is listed as endangered.

[7][25] Southern ground hornbills in these countries, along with Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, require conservation interventions to help increase their numbers.

Habitat loss, changes due to the agriculture, deforestation, electrocution from power lines, accidental poisoning, and persecution are the major factors that affect their populations.

[26][27][28][29] Persecution and hunting of the southern ground hornbill by human populations have continued to be complex issues.

[33][31] However, it is still a factor of which to be aware when considering conservation efforts, especially because of their low reproductive rates and an incomplete knowledge about local hunting habits in their natural regions.

[32][33] Furthermore, the southern ground hornbill faces persecution due to behaviors like destroying windows in response to seeing its reflection.

[26] The role of southern ground hornbills in a variety of cultural beliefs also influence conservation efforts.

In some marketplaces and cultures, southern ground hornbills are used in traditional medicines, which often rely upon harvesting specific parts of the bird.

[31][32] For example, the Ndebele healers use the bird for traditional medicine, but must follow a strict ritual process that could take months or years to prepare.

[31] Additional research documents plant alternatives to southern ground hornbill use for cultural belief uses.

[5][26][28][34][35] Due to the encroachment of human populations, it is not unheard of to see a group's territory encompass a variety of areas, from pristine habitats to commercial agricultural lands.

[37] The southern ground hornbill's loud voice and large size have made it a focal point in many traditional African cultures.

[40] This association has led the southern ground hornbill to be attributed with the ability to provide protection from weather-related problems.

[5][27] Rituals differ per culture and necessity for protection, as such a variety of parts may be needed from the bird, and may also involve dancing and singing.

[5][41] These beliefs generally do not carry harmful consequences for southern ground hornbills, but killing, displacing, or otherwise using them to end or start rainy seasons has been reported.

[5][27] Though traditional rituals, the bird can be called on to improve or change a human's ability to alter reality, create illusions, and expand awareness.

[5] In Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa the bird can be used in attempts to improve a human's ability to find food, creatures and even enemies.

[5][27] Other cultural uses or beliefs include ridding one of bad or evil spirits,[5][31] taking revenge on others or instigating fights,[31] empowering a person,[31] and causing dreams to become reality.