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Ammon News - U.S. wildlife officials have introduced a plan to deploy trained shooters into dense West Coast forests to eliminate nearly half a million barred owls to protect the endangered spotted owl populations in Oregon, Washington, and California. This strategy, detailed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aims to counter the decline of spotted owls, as barred owls have increasingly crowded out their smaller cousins. Spotted owls struggle to compete with barred owls, which have larger broods and need less space to survive, as per the reports of Yahoo news.

Historical context and new challenges
Previous efforts to protect spotted owls focused on preserving their forest habitats, leading to conflicts over logging but slowing the birds' decline. However, the recent proliferation of barred owls undermines these efforts. According to Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon state supervisor Kessina Lee, without managing barred owls, northern spotted owls could face extinction despite ongoing conservation work.

Divided opinions
The plan to kill one bird species to save another has sparked debate among wildlife advocates and conservationists. Some accept the plan reluctantly, while others, like Wayne Pacelle from Animal Wellness Action, argue it distracts from necessary forest preservation and is unlikely to succeed in preventing barred owl migration into targeted areas. The shootings, set to start next spring, involve using megaphones to lure barred owls and then shooting them with shotguns. Carcasses will be buried on-site.

Current efforts and plans
Since 2009, researchers have already removed about 4,500 barred owls from certain habitats. The new strategy aims to reduce barred owl numbers but acknowledges that complete elimination is unlikely. Supporters, including the American Bird Conservancy, argue that reducing barred owl numbers could eventually allow coexistence with spotted owls as old forests regrow. The plan is estimated to reduce barred owl numbers nationwide by less than 1%.

Implementation and public response
The plan prohibits public hunting of barred owls, designating specific agencies, landowners, tribes, or companies to conduct the killings. Shooters must document their training in owl identification and firearm skills. A final environmental study will be published soon, opening a 30-day comment period before the final decision. The barred owl plan follows decades of conflict between conservationists and the timber industry. Despite logging bans in the 1990s, spotted owl populations have continued to decline due to the presence of barred owls.

FAQs:
What is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's plan to save spotted owls?
The plan involves using trained shooters to eliminate nearly half a million barred owls in West Coast forests to protect endangered spotted owls.

How will the barred owls be removed?

Trained shooters will use megaphones to lure barred owls with recorded calls and then shoot them with shotguns. The carcasses will be buried on-site.

The Economic Times