The US Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a controversial plan to cull nearly 450,000 invasive barred owls over the next 30 years in an effort to protect the at-risk native spotted owl populations in the Pacific Northwest. This ambitious initiative aims to remove approximately 15,000 barred owls annually across Washington, Oregon, and California. Barred owls, which are native to eastern North America, have significantly outnumbered spotted owls due to competition for resources and habitat loss, leading to concerns about the future of the native species. Kessina Lee, the state supervisor for the Oregon Office, emphasized the necessity of this management strategy to ensure the survival of both owl species amid declining populations [c8f86e44].
However, the plan has sparked considerable backlash from wildlife protection groups, including Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, who argue that the culling is both costly and inhumane. Former biologist Kent Livezey estimated that the total cost of the culling operation could exceed $225 million. In response to the plan, 164 organizations have urged US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to halt the initiative, citing concerns about potential adverse effects on forest ecosystems and the ethical implications of such a large-scale culling operation [c8f86e44].
The controversy surrounding the barred owl culling plan highlights the ongoing challenges faced by wildlife management authorities in balancing ecological preservation with the complexities of invasive species control. As the debate continues, stakeholders from various sectors are calling for a more humane and ecologically sound approach to wildlife management that considers both the welfare of individual animals and the health of ecosystems [c8f86e44].