The New Britain Goshawk (Accipiter princeps) has been photographed for the first time in 55 years, marking a significant milestone in ornithological history.
Categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this elusive bird of prey is endemic to the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. The photograph, captured by Fiji-based photographer Tom Vierus, provides the first visual confirmation of the species since its last documented record in 1969.
Tom Vierus was on a scoping trip with WWF in Pomio, eastern New Britain, when he captured the image of the New Britain Goshawk.
“I was on a scoping trip with WWF in Pomio, with three members of the local community guiding us through the forest. I photographed several bird species, including the New Britain Goshawk, but wasn’t aware of the significance at the time,” Vierus shared.
The photograph of the New Britain Goshawk has been verified by John Mittermeier, Director of the Search for Lost Birds at American Bird Conservancy.
“The last documented scientific record of the species appears to be a July 1969 specimen kept in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Despite numerous sight-only records in the intervening years, the New Britain Goshawk has eluded photographic, audio, and specimen documentation for over 55 years,” Mittermeier stated.
New Britain Goshawk :
This photograph, along with further details, is now available on the Search for Lost Birds and iNaturalist websites.
Oscar Pileng, WWF’s Pomio-based officer and a local resident, expressed his excitement about the discovery. “I have discussed this discovery with local residents and leaders in Pomio.
They confirmed that the New Britain Goshawk is extremely rare in the area. The species is found only in the hinterlands of Pomio and is rarely seen. Locally, it is known as ‘keango’ or ‘kulingapa’,” Pileng said.
The significance of this first-ever photograph cannot be understated. Pileng hopes it will spur efforts to protect the New Britain Goshawk’s habitat from threats such as large-scale agriculture, logging, mining, and infrastructure development. “I was amazed to hear that this is the first time it has been photographed, but am very happy that an official global record now exists,” Pileng added.
In response to this discovery, WWF is considering expanding its conservation efforts in Papua New Guinea, particularly in Pomio. The region is home to the indigenous Mengen and Mamusi peoples, who have a deep connection to their natural surroundings.
WWF aims to collaborate with these communities to support local stewardship and conservation initiatives. The initial scoping trip to Pomio, funded by WWF-Belgium, marks a crucial step in this new conservation project.
“There have been very few biodiversity studies in New Britain, and the potential for discovering new species is significant. However, there is a pressing need to protect these areas, especially given the looming pressures and poverty faced by many local communities,” said Martha Eimba, Pomio Landscape Manager at WWF-Papua New Guinea.
Eimba emphasized the importance of collaboration to understand threats and develop comprehensive conservation strategies.
Papua New Guinea is renowned for its biodiversity, hosting the world’s third-largest intact tropical forest, extensive wetlands, and diverse ecosystems.
The forests where the New Britain Goshawk was photographed are part of the Nakanai Ranges, a biodiverse region within the Sublime Karsts of Papua New Guinea, a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site. The Ranges, estimated to be 22.5 to 10.5 million years old, are critical for conservation efforts.
Tom Vierus expressed his enthusiasm for the role of conservation photography in preserving biodiversity.
“It was such a great surprise to hear that this photo seems to be the first-ever of this ‘lost species’! It’s wonderful to see how conservation photography can help safeguard areas by documenting existing biodiversity. I hope this mostly pristine part of the world remains intact with the help of local communities and WWF,” Vierus remarked.
The first photograph of the New Britain Goshawk represents a significant achievement in ornithology and conservation. It highlights the critical need for ongoing efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats.
The collaboration between local communities, conservation organizations, and international partners is essential for ensuring the future of this rare bird of prey and the unique ecosystems it inhabits.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏