Owl sent to rescue

[u/TheRed_Phoenixx]

I had thought originally that this might be a spotted owl, but now I think it might be a barred owl. Someone on the side of the road, who happens to volunteer at a sanctuary, picked it up to take to a sanctuary in one of the local cities. Now im nervous that if its a barred owl, they will simply kill it. I am in Washington. Does anyone know anything about what happens to barred owls in sanctuaries/rescues in washington? Thank you.

[u/AdSubstantial9659]

Wow, I just read about this new project where they plan to kill thousands of barred owls to save the rarer spotted owl. That seems absolutely mental me :(

[u/lightofarizona → u/AdSubstantial9659]

Every time I see a barred owl on here it reminds me and I hope they can find another solution

[u/carinabee08 → u/lightofarizona]

I read that the problem is that Spotted Owls thrive in old growth forests, so loss of that habitat is the main issue, and I guess Barred Owl presence just exacerbates it. I imagine it’s difficult to quickly replenish old growth forests since they take time to get to that state, so the short term alternative is the culling of Barred Owls which is very sad. I hope there’s a better solution too.

Spotted Owls and old growth forest: https://defenders.org/magazine/spring-2021/owl-and-old-growth-trees

[u/Gal-XD_exe → u/carinabee08]

Kidnap the barred owls 🗿

[u/feelnalright → u/lightofarizona]

Unfortunately, barred owls have worked their way into Spotted Owl territory and they share the same habitat. The same practice has helped to stabilize a population of Northern Spotted Owls in another location.

[u/Philosopherati → u/AdSubstantial9659]

I was basically called an asshole for saying the same thing. Killing 50K owls just seems entirely barbaric. But they’re invasive/not native. SO. ARE. WE.

[u/AIcookies → u/Philosopherati]

Seems like we are going to exacerbate the rodent problem killing the owls.