Almost 500,000 Owls to Be Shot in US Government Plan

[WhyMe007]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services has a 30-year plan to kill around 470,000 Barred Owls in order to save the Spotted Owl from extinction. Spotted owls are federally protected in the US. Despite that protection from human intervention, their populations have been declining in several states. Another nocturnal bird, the Barred owl, is encroaching on the spotted owl's territory. This decision is highly controversial amongst conservationists and animal lovers

[slooroo]

While this sounds cruel it has been necessary at times. For example I live near a state park and if hunting is down park rangers will have to go in to kill some deer or coyote or other animals to keep the population in balance. This kind of thing is done with plants as well where some plants are killed to help other plant species try to grow.

[Kyng]

Yeah... I can definitely see why this is so controversial. Nobody wants to see species going extinct - but at the same time, is it really worth it if the cost is this many birds?

After all, there's not just the animal rights perspective here, but also the "Not messing with the ecosystem" perspective...

[kikipetie]

Looks like they could find another way than killing owls. This solution they have is mean and cruel   grrrrrr

[JHG]

Or maybe Barred owls are that common.

[Bryn]

Imagine if the UK did the same regarding grey squirrels, just to preserve the red squirrel population...

[WhyMe007]

Im not that into owls but iam appalled by thier decision. 30 year plan... 470.000...its mind boggling.

Hullo human

[Jane]

Wicked..

[Kyng]

Or maybe Barred owls are that common.

Well, there are about 3.5 million of them in the USA - so, this represents about 1/7 of the total population. Certainly not an inconsiderable percentage ...

Imagine if the UK did the same regarding grey squirrels, just to preserve the red squirrel population...

We actually have an alternative for grey squirrels - in the form of a contraceptive, which is added to hazelnut paste:

https://www.wildanimalinitiative.org/blo...raceptives

Makes me wonder whether something similar could work for these owls.