Controversial Plan to Cull 450,000 Barred Owls to Save Endangered Spotted Owls

Tuesday 09 July 2024 - 16:30

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has unveiled a contentious proposal to cull approximately 450,000 invasive barred owls in a bid to protect the dwindling population of the native spotted owl in the Pacific Northwest.

In a drastic measure aimed at conservation, the federal agency suggests that the mass killing of barred owls over the next three decades is essential to halt the sharp decline of the spotted owl, which has been outcompeted for food and habitat. This plan has sparked heated debates among wildlife advocates, with opinions sharply divided on its necessity and ethical implications.

Robin Bown, a biologist with the Fish and Wildlife Service, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. "We don’t usually enter this field with the intention of killing animals," Bown told *The Washington Post*. "But we also see the need to protect, and we have a legal responsibility to do what we can to ensure the survival of our native and endangered species."

The agency's alarming statistics show the northern spotted owl's population has plummeted by about 75% over the past two decades. In some regions where hundreds once thrived, only a few individuals remain today.

### Evaluating Alternatives

Various alternatives were considered but deemed ineffective. Sterilizing barred owls would take at least a decade to impact population numbers significantly. Capturing and caging them proved too costly and logistically challenging, and relocation was not feasible due to space constraints on the East Coast.

The Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that lethal measures would have the most immediate and substantial impact. The plan, pending a 30-day review period, is the latest in a series of efforts to control invasive species threatening native wildlife. Previous initiatives have included culling Burmese pythons, feral hogs, nutria rodents, and barn owls.

Execution Strategy

If approved, the plan involves deploying trained personnel to forests at night armed with shotguns, flashlights, and megaphones mimicking barred owl calls. Upon visually confirming the owl by its distinctive bar-shaped feather patterns and its characteristic call, shooters will take the birds down. The carcasses may be buried on-site or used for research.

The agency aims to cull about 15,000 barred owls annually, starting as early as this fall. The operation will seek support from environmental organizations, conservation groups, landowners, the timber industry, tribes, and government agencies. Participants must demonstrate proficiency in identifying owls and handling firearms.

Historical Context and Migration

Barred owls began migrating west from the eastern United States in the 1950s, facilitated by human activities such as forest fire suppression and tree planting. By the 1970s, they had established themselves in the Pacific Northwest, where they began competing with the native spotted owls for resources.

Despite their similar appearances, barred owls are slightly larger and more aggressive, often displacing spotted owls from their nests, consuming their food sources, and sometimes killing them. This aggressive behavior has led to a significant decline in spotted owl numbers.

Divided Opinions

The plan has faced staunch opposition from some animal welfare groups. Animal Wellness Action, along with 135 other wildlife organizations, has petitioned Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to revoke the plan. Wayne Pacelle, the group's founder, argued that barred owl populations would likely rebound, rendering the cull ineffective.

Conversely, bird conservationists like Claire Catania, executive director of Birds Connect Seattle, deem the cull necessary. Catania lamented the situation but emphasized the need to act to preserve the spotted owl, once an iconic species in Washington.

Hope for Coexistence

Bridget Moran, a field supervisor with the Fish and Wildlife Service, remains optimistic that the cull will allow both owl species to coexist. "This isn’t about one owl versus another," Moran stated. "This is about ensuring that we have spotted owls. If we do nothing, only barred owls will remain. If we act, we can preserve both species."

As the debate continues, the fate of these owls hangs in the balance, with the Fish and Wildlife Service poised to make a decision that could reshape the future of avian conservation in the Pacific Northwest.