The US government is considering a controversial plan to kill half a million barred owls across California, Oregon, and Washington states in a bid to protect the endangered California spotted owl.
The proposal, put forth by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), has sparked outrage from numerous conservation groups.
The barred owl, originally from the eastern United States, has encroached upon the territory of the California spotted owl, posing a threat to its survival.
Hunters would be allowed to kill the owls.
To address this, the FWS plans to deploy “hunters” who would lure barred owls with territorial calls and either shoot them or capture and euthanize them, depending on the circumstances.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential unintended consequences of such actions, including the accidental killing of non-target species due to mistaken identity.
Owls competing for resources. Wonder what will happen to US as we do the same thing?
The conflict between these owl species arises from their similar appearances and overlapping habitats.
Barred owls, with their larger size and more aggressive nature, have been outcompeting the spotted owl for resources, exacerbating the latter’s already precarious situation.
Another ridiculous “climate change” explanation…
The migration of barred owls to the Pacific Northwest, driven in part by “climate change” (that would be WEATHER) and habitat loss, has intensified the competition between the two owl species. The spotted owl, already listed as endangered due to habitat destruction, now faces further pressure from the presence of barred owls.
Critics of the FWS plan argue that the proposed killing of half a million barred owls over three decades is excessive and could have negative ecological impacts. They contend that such actions fail to address the root causes of habitat degradation and species decline, instead opting for a short-term solution that may prove ineffective in the long run.
The decision rests with the FWS, which is currently reviewing public feedback [1] on the proposal which ended in January.
All we REALLY need to know about the situation is that this is happening under the Biden administration – so it’s automatically a FUBAR idea.