Protecting the Threatened Northern Spotted Owl: The Plan to Cull Invasive Barred Owls
The Threat of the Barred Owl
The U.S. government reportedly plans to cull over 500,000 barred owls in the Pacific Northwest over the next 30 years in an effort to protect the threatened northern spotted owl.
The barred owl is an invasive species that has been expanding its range from the eastern U.S. to the West Coast, where it competes with and outcompetes the native northern spotted owl.
Barred owls are larger, more aggressive, and more adaptable than spotted owls, posing a major threat to the survival of the spotted owl population, which has declined by 75% over the past two decades.
The Cull Plan
The plan reportedly calls for an initial cull of 20,000 barred owls in the first year, followed by annual reductions of 13,397 to 17,390 birds over the next 30 years across 11-14 million acres in Washington, Oregon, and California.
Landowners and land managers would be able to apply for permits to shoot the barred owls using large-bore shotguns.
Controversy and Necessity
While the plan is controversial and some argue it could do more harm than good, wildlife officials believe it is necessary to prevent the extinction of the northern spotted owl.
Studies have shown that culling barred owls can stabilize spotted owl populations. The goal is to reduce the barred owl population by around 30% in the spotted owl’s range, which should be enough to relieve pressure on the threatened species.
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