Plan to Kill Half a Million Barred Owls Advances
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is moving forward with a proposal to kill around 500,000 barred owls across Washington, Oregon, and California in an effort to protect the northern spotted owl population.
Senate Rejects Resolution to Stop Program
The Senate recently rejected a resolution aimed at blocking the plan, as reported by The Center Square. Opponents argue that the plan is costly, inhumane, and unlikely to provide a sustainable solution.
Cost and Scope
- Estimated cost exceeds $1 billion.
- Targeted number of barred owls is approximately 453,000.
Reason for the Plan
According to a July 2024 news release by FWS, northern spotted owls are rapidly declining due to competition with barred owls.
“Barred owl management is not about one owl versus another,” said Kessina Lee, Oregon Office state supervisor for the Service. “Without actively managing barred owls, northern spotted owls will likely go extinct in all or the majority of their range, despite decades of collaborative conservation efforts.”
Officials stated that this removal would account for less than 0.5% of the total North American barred owl population.
Visual Reference
A female barred owl sits on a branch in the wooded hills near Philomath, Oregon, December 13, 2017 (file photo by Don Ryan, AP).
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