Mindoro Bleeding-heart, unseen for 20 years, photographed in Philippine forest

MANILA, Philippines – After a 20-year absence, the critically endangered Mindoro bleeding-heart, last confirmed in 2005, has been photographed in the forests of Mindoro Island, Philippines. This significant rediscovery marks a triumph for conservationists and birdwatchers who have long searched for the elusive species. The breakthrough was achieved by a research team from the Center for Conservation Innovation (CCIPH), in collaboration with the local Iraya Mangyan indigenous community. Their approach combined historical data, biophysical and bioclimatic information of Mindoro Island, and the traditional knowledge of the Iraya Mangyan to predict the bird's habitat. In August, nine camera traps were deployed. On the final day of their week-long fieldwork, the team reviewed the footage, capturing the Mindoro bleeding-heart raising its right wing in one of the cameras. Jennica Masigan, conservation program director at CCIPH, described the rediscovery as personally significant, bringing hope to researchers and the birding community who had begun to question the bird's continued existence. The Mindoro bleeding-heart, a ground-dwelling pigeon named for its distinct red breast patch, is critically endangered. Its sighting is a cause for celebration and underscores the role of birdwatchers in monitoring species status. Notably, the bird was observed at an altitude of over 900 meters, a departure from its traditionally known lowland habitat. Researchers interpret this as a "warning" of habitat changes, explaining that species do not leave their environments unless something is no longer working for them. CCIPH established the Mindoro Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Program in 2020, which encompasses the ancestral domain of the Iraya Mangyan. "The Mindoro bleeding-heart is part of a forest that also supports people," Masigan stated. "When we protect that bleeding heart, we are also protecting the ecological system that supports human well-being." This rediscovery highlights the crucial importance of community engagement in biodiversity conservation efforts in the Philippines. Source: Rappler Philippines