CLIMATE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Mindoro Bleeding‑Heart Pigeon Photographed After Two Decades, Confirms Survival in Puerto Galera Rainforest
WHY IT MATTERS
The image confirms the species’ continued existence, solidifies Puerto Galera’s status as a critical habitat, and underscores the urgent need to protect the forest from ongoing deforestation.
What happened
A camera trap in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, captured the critically endangered Mindoro bleeding‑heart pigeon (Gallicolumba platenae) in August, the first confirmed photograph of the species in 20 years. The image was released by the Center for Conservation Innovation Ph Inc.
(CCIPH) and verified by ornithologist Juan Carlos Gonzalez and BirdLife International specialist Alex Berryman. The sighting confirms that the species still persists in the steep rainforests of Puerto Galera, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
The photo underscores the area's role as a vital sanctuary for the bird and highlights the ongoing threat of forest loss to its survival.
PRIMARY SOURCES
A ‘lost’ Philippine pigeon reappears after 20 years — but its forest is disappearing
Mongabay · Isabel Esterman · Discovery and factual synthesis only; publisher copyright terms apply