Earlier this year, wildlife photographer Tom Vierus embarked on a photography expedition. He worked with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on the island of New Britain. This island is part of Papua New Guinea. While documenting various bird species, Vierus unknowingly snapped the first-ever photograph of a New Britain goshawk. This bird was long considered a “lost species.”
During his expedition, Vierus captured images of numerous birds, but one particular bird stood out. With its gray body, striking orange face, and red markings around the eyes, the bird was unfamiliar to him. Vierus was curious. He uploaded the image to iNaturalist, an online platform for identifying animals and plants. He hoped someone could help him figure out what species it was.
What happened next left Vierus stunned.
One commenter suggested the bird might be a New Britain goshawk, while another exclaimed, “Is this legit? It’s supposed to be a lost species!”
The significance of this identification was monumental. The last documented sighting of the New Britain goshawk was in 1969. Until Vierus’ photo, no one had photographed the elusive bird. Several other iNaturalist users quickly confirmed that Vierus had, indeed, captured the first-ever image of this rare species.
“I wasn’t aware of the significance at the time,” Vierus said in a WWF press release. “It was such a great surprise to learn this photo is the first-ever of this ‘lost species!'”
The discovery almost didn’t happen. Vierus revealed that the goshawk was far away. He only noticed it in a fleeting moment. He was focusing on a different bird nearby. “It was pure luck,” he told The Dodo.
The New Britain goshawk is classified as a “lost species.” However, it has been spotted by Papuan and Austronesian communities. Other indigenous peoples living on the island have also observed it. In their local languages, the bird is called keango or kulingapa. The New Britain goshawk has an orange face. This feature is often associated with brightly colored birds like parrots or macaws. However, it is actually a raptor—a carnivorous bird known for its sharp eyesight and hunting abilities.
Unfortunately, the species is classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss, primarily from deforestation in its natural habitat. Vierus hopes his discovery will ignite new conservation efforts.
“Conservation photography plays a crucial role in preserving biodiversity by documenting species and raising awareness,” Vierus explained. “It’s a reminder of the importance of visual storytelling in conservation.”
Bird enthusiasts around the world have been captivated by Vierus’ groundbreaking photo. The bird that had evaded photographers for decades was finally seen.
“What a historical find!” one commenter wrote on iNaturalist, echoing the excitement of bird lovers everywhere.
Key Takeaways:
- Photographer Tom Vierus captured the first-ever photo of the New Britain goshawk, a rare species last documented in 1969.
- The elusive bird, native to New Britain, Papua New Guinea, was previously considered a “lost species.”
- Vierus’ photo highlights the power of conservation photography in raising awareness and inspiring efforts to protect vulnerable species.
- Indigenous communities had sightings of the bird, known locally as keango or kulingapa, but it had never been photographed until now.
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