Rare birds in the Philippines losing their home

A Philippine leafbird in a forested area in Bislig in the southern Philippines. Patches of tropical rainforest in the southern Philippines harbour some of the world's rarest birds, but nature lovers toting long-lens cameras now share them with people wielding chainsaws, traps and torches. Photos: AFP

Patches of tropical rainforest in southern Philippines harbour some of the world’s rarest birds, but nature lovers toting long-lens cameras now share them with people wielding chainsaws, traps and torches.

Hundreds of foreign and local tourists venture each year into the remote region, which is also known as a sanctuary for communist rebels, but hardly any of the trees are left and bird sightings are on the decline.