Scientists capture rare images of animal not seen for 140 years and their reactions are heartwarming

A group of scientists managed to capture images of a rare bird on camera, and their heartwarming reactions has gone viral online.

In case you didn't know, the black-naped pheasant pigeon is a large bird that resides in the rainforests of New Guinea.

The species is now super rare, largely due to the deforestation in the region.

Deforestation involves clearing forests to make the land free for other uses, such as building property. It has a devastating impact on wildlife, including birds that live and build their nests in the trees.

When it comes to the black-naped pheasant pigeon, the species is considered critically endangered and hasn't actually been documented for 140 years.

However, back in 2022, the birds were spotted by a group of researchers who were able to capture footage of the pigeons on camera.

The team caught the birds strutting around Fergusson Island. You can see the clip below:

The largest of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands in Papua New Guinea is mainly covered by rainforests, and features three large volcanoes.

This is where expedition co-leaders John Mittermeier and Jason Gregg found the bird after a 140-year absence.

It’s said that the researchers headed to the mountain to meet with hunters and village locals.

These Fergusson Island dwellers claimed they’d previously caught sightings of the black-naped bird while another local, named Augustin Gregory, admitted to hearing its distinct calls.

Taking the villagers’ word, the researchers set up their cameras in the described location and waited with bated breath.

“When we collected the camera traps, I figured there was less than a one percent chance of getting a photo of the black-naped pheasant-pigeon", said Jordan Boersma, postdoctoral researcher at Cornell.

The black-naped pheasant-pigeon hadn't been seen for 140 years (American Bird Conservancy)

However, soon after the expedition set up their cameras, the bird strutted onto the scene.

“As I was scrolling through the photos, I was stunned by this photo of this bird walking right past our camera," Boersma recounted.

"It is the kind of moment you dream about your entire life as a conservationist and birdwatcher," Mittermeier added to BBC.

Following the discovery, the scientists released footage of their reaction to photographing the endangered creature.

In the viral clip, the experts could be seen holding hands, stamping their feet and exclaiming that finding the bird was the ‘happiest moment ever’.

After rewatching the footage of the black-naped pheasant-pigeon walking around, the team said they ‘couldn’t believe’ that they had caught it on video.

Researchers said capturing footage of the critter was like 'finding a unicorn' (American Bird Conservancy)

“Seeing those first photos of the pheasant-pigeon felt like finding a unicorn,” explained Mittermeier.

Local bird expert Doka Nason was also with the group and said that he was ‘jumping around’ and ‘yelling’ after realising they’d captured the creature on film.

Despite collecting the imagery, the black-naped pheasant-pigeon is still listed as critically endangered.

Speaking about the critter’s potential extinction, Boersma said: “The reason I care, why I think we should all care, is that this bird has meant something and continues to mean something to the local people.

“It’s part of their legends and culture—if we lose this species, then its cultural importance will be lost along with the role it plays in this fantastic ecosystem."