The Moment Scientists Captured Images Of A Rare Animal That Hadn't Been Seen In 140 Years

For those of you who are bird enthusiasts, you might already be familiar with the black-naped pheasant-pigeon. 

This bird is a hefty, ground-dwelling pigeon that calls the lush rainforests of New Guinea its home.

Sadly, due to the ongoing issue of deforestation, this species is seeing a decline in its population.

While their green and grey-naped cousins aren't in immediate danger, the situation is a bit more dire for the white-naped pheasant-pigeon, which is considered vulnerable. 

Credit: American Bird Conservancy

Even more alarming, the black-naped variant of these birds is on the critically endangered list, having not been officially recorded by scientists for an astonishing 140 years.

That all changed in September 2022, though, when a team of determined researchers managed to film the elusive black-naped pheasant-pigeon on Fergusson Island. 

This island, the largest of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands in Papua New Guinea, is a haven of rainforests and is home to three towering volcanoes.

The expedition, led by John Mittermeier and Jason Gregg, marked the end of a 140-year wait to find this bird.

The team began their journey by consulting with local hunters and villagers. 

The residents of Fergusson Island shared their encounters with the black-naped bird, and one local, Augustin Gregory, even mentioned hearing its unique calls.

Encouraged by these accounts, the researchers set up their camera traps in the suggested areas, though not without a healthy dose of skepticism.

"Collecting the camera traps, I figured there was less than a one percent chance we'd capture the black-naped pheasant-pigeon," Jordan Boersma, a postdoctoral researcher at Cornell, admitted.

The bird is classed as critically endangered and hadn't been seen for 140 years. Credit: American Bird Conservancy

Yet, to their astonishment, not long after setting up the cameras, the bird decided to make an appearance.

"I was absolutely blown away when I saw this bird casually stroll past our camera," Boersma shared his excitement.

"It’s exactly the kind of moment you fantasize about for your entire life if you're into conservation and birdwatching," Mittermeier told BBC, echoing the sentiment.

The scientists' ecstatic reaction to capturing the bird on film quickly went viral. 

In the footage, you can see the team holding hands, stomping around in excitement, and declaring it the 'happiest moment ever.'

After reviewing the footage of the black-naped pheasant-pigeon, the group couldn't contain their disbelief at their luck in capturing such clear footage.

"Getting those first shots of the pheasant-pigeon was like stumbling upon a unicorn," Mittermeier described the feeling.

Doka Nason, a local bird expert who was part of the team, shared in the excitement, saying he was "jumping around" and "yelling" in joy at their discovery.

Despite this incredible find, the black-naped pheasant-pigeon remains critically endangered.

Researchers said capturing footage of the critter was like 'finding a unicorn'. Credit: American Bird Conservancy

Boersma spoke on the bird's significance, saying: "The reason this matters, why we should all be concerned, is because this bird holds a special place in the hearts and culture of the local people."

"It's woven into their legends and way of life—if we let this species vanish, we're not just losing an animal."

"We're erasing a piece of cultural heritage and disrupting a delicate ecosystem."