The U.S. government is proposing a plan to shoot 500,000 barred owls dead as part of a massive cull in the Pacific Northwest.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is suggesting this horrible cull in order to restore balance between barred owls and northern spotted owls in Washington, Oregon, and California. In order to carry out the plan, it would grant landowners or land managers permits to shoot or otherwise euthanize the animals.
Sign the petition to urge the U.S. government to consider alternative options now!
The reason behind this proposed slaughter is that, sadly, northern spotted owls and barred owls seem to be in competition for territory, food, and nesting. While barred owls’ numbers have been increasing, spotted owls’ populations are in decline.
But surely there must be other options besides shooting innocent wildlife in cold blood. These owls are just doing what they evolved to do: survive. They’re not evil, or malicious, or aware of the ecological balance issues. So why should they be slaughtered?
One expert, biologist and ecological consultant Jared Hobbs, emphasized that the government must also take stronger steps to protect spotted owls’ habitats. Specifically, authorities must increase regulation of logging and forest destruction.
Sign the petition to demand the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service find another way to restore balance in the owl ecosystem, other than massacring half a million barred owls! It must implement stronger habitat protections now!
This article by Mathew Davis was first published by One Green Planet on 21 January 2024. Image Credit :Alice Hebb/Shutterstock.
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