I think ecologists have their hands tied on this one... barred owls never lived in the region historically, but moved into the area as a result of humans' alteration of the habitat. Barred owls and spotted owls cannot coexist... they are so closely related and so similar, that they essentially occupy the exact same niche in their respective habitats. You will never find two species naturally occupying the same niche... either the more dominant one will outcompete the other indirectly through competition for space and resources, or directly eliminate the other. This case seems to be a mix of the two. (In some cases, two species occupying the same niche will interbreed, although it has not been recorded with owls). I fully support their decision to do a limited barred owl cull in the region. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE THAT I DON'T SUPPORT, however, is creating a limited hunting season for the barred owl and putting a bounty on them. These species are so similar that an amateur in the woods at night looking to score bounty money could easily mistake the two and end up shooting a spotted owl. This is not something that should be put in the hands of the public... this is a job for ecologists and ornithologists and not really anybody else.

This is natural selection, it’s dumb to try an fight it. It’s obvious that the barred owls are simply more fit. The worst thing is they aren’t even invasive, their range is just growing because they’re doing well.

I couldn't imagine having to kill barred owls for a job. One idea, is to let licensed falconers take them. This might only be 20-40 per year. And when done with their hunting season they can be told to release them in a different area. Falconers would be happy to trap or remove from nest.

@usfws and what in the last 9 years (since this data was released) has happened with successfully protecting the spotted owl? The fact that obliterating a half a million barred owls seems to be the federal plan. Shameful and disgusting. Thank you @NatGeo for all you showcase. ❤

How about relocating or breeding those that are in danger of becoming extinct?

This is why people don't take scientists seriously. I didn't hear anything substantive other than emotional platitudes explaining why we should be favoring one Owl over another Owl. What substantive benefit to humans is there to justify this persecution of Barred Owls? I sponsor a Barred Owl at a local nature center and I always ask it about its favorite chef, but somehow I don't think that the children that come to the center to learn about nature and science would appreciate that these beautiful birds are being harmed for no good reason. What is so uniquely beneficial about the Spotted Owl that makes it worth killing Barred Owls?

This is what I did my 8th grade project on!

0:55 - Beautiful view of an owl predating a mouse. Fantastic photography.

some things are better left untouched

Killing barred owls is just not a morally acceptable approach to ecosystem:(

“There’s no way to couch it as a good thing if you’re killing one species to save another,” Marc Bekoff said.

Is the barred owl an invasive species? If so, then i can see how population control is justified. If not, then it'd probably be best to let nature run its course.

Some see a responsibility to intervene, however, noting that humans are partly to blame for the underlying conditions with activities like logging, which helped lead to the spotted owl’s decline. And others just see a no-win situation.

Owls are amazing birds of prey.

Glad we have so many ecologists in the comments section.

Lots of them here in west michigan! Beautiful and have cool songs! We love our barred owls!

Heartbreaking on so many levels. 💔🦉

0:47 Best catch ever in 3...2...1...

Some might see it as a necessary evil in order to save the spotted owl, while others might view it as cruel and unnecessary. But for me, we should just let the nature do its job. In an ecosystem, there should always be a prey and a predator. Extinction is a natural phenomenon, humans may come to an end or may be extinct.

An entire species may be on the line, so the cost is a few individuals. these decisions are balancing acts. The idea here is not to eliminate all barred owls. The idea is to remove all barred owls in areas where northern spotted owls are currently or have historically occupied. Removing barred owls is the responsibility of the federal and state governments that have pledged to protect the environment (ultimately for human benefit, but whatev's). where tigerpuffer makes a point of hands being tied, another point to add would be that arguably humans created this mess in destroying the habitat of northern spotted owl. If you think redwood looks pretty as anything other than a standing tree, a snag, or a carbon-sink then consider that you shouldn't mind too much if a barred owl is shot, because your just as much killing a spotted owl when you remove its habitat. this is happening because of a series of decisions made many different people with different interests. We need answers to these problems.

Why kill?? why not capture??

Imagine aliens applying this logic on earth: How many other species will thrive by removing humans?

We dont need to kill barred owl in this case. Why we just take care of them and let them live. We care for them and for our nature. We care to protect and we dont kill one of them and to protect the other.

Why people hate owl,this bird is beautiful bird

Killing barred owls is not morally acceptable. There is no sense on killing another animal so another one can live. The best things to do is to relocate them to the place where they belong.

I go to sleep at night listening to owls communicating with each other. One is loud and nearby and the other faint until it flies closer and gets louder. Two different owl voices were involved.

Let nature take its course

Why can't this people do there real job and capture it and put it in the zoo or you relocate them to the place where there's less owls. Killing is too much man.

Its not feasible to capture. Imagine if you keep capturing a bunch every month, where are you going to put them?

An species that overtakes another due to change is called evolution.

These owls has its own beauty to nature, let them fly on its natural state, we humans should appreciate it.

Let them fucking live.

Guys, Barred Owls are expanded their range due to global warming. It's our problem that we need to fix. I personally think we should extirpate Barred Owls from the West Coast. It won't make a dent the species population and it would save the Spotted Owl.

Ohh poor barred owl 😭🥺

It's so sad that you have to killing barred owls to save spotted owls... Can you find another way to save these owls?

Some feel that sighting an owl brings luck whereas some feel that it's a sign of bad omen

I have a pair of Barred Owls near my home. STAY AWAY from them!

To kill an owl in order to save another owl is a little distasteful. They deserve our protection, not our killing.

hey got a better plan "Dont f**kin interfere"

“Humans are humans. Deciding on what’s wrong and what’s right is entirely circumstantial for those id**ts. Basically they’re just like animals, only a little bit smarter.” - Saber Of Red (Fate/Apocrypha)

Let nature take it's course.

This owl has its own purpose to live. Let them fly freely.

I would try to help the Spotted Owl so it does not go extinct. They are very unique owls. The Barred owls are doing OK. We have tough choices on Hawaii too with feral cats killing our endangered sea birds. The point is to preserve all species....

Some see a responsibility to intervene, saying save nature and let the owls free, however, noting that humans are partly to blame for the underlying conditions with activities like logging, which helped lead to the spotted owl’s decline.

Killing the species could lead them on being endangered. I don't think that would be a good idea.

how about leting it be

Well, since everyone one else in the comments is coming up with dumb things to say, I think we should combine the owl's DNA and make them into the same owl.

"Humans, by stepping in and taking that role in nature, we may be able to achieve more biodiversity in the environment, rather than just having barred owls take over and wipe out all the prey species," he said. Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus of ecology finds the practice abhorrent and said humans should find another way to help owl.

Killing these large birds seems wrong, but it is the only way to protect spotted owls, which are listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Removing barred owls from spotted owls’ territory can help the endangered species recover.

All owls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This means that it is illegal to capture, kill, or possess an owl without a valid permit. The only way to obtain a permit is through special circumstances such as scientific research or educational purposes.

"The wildlife and it's habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will." - Theodore Roosevelt LET THEM LIVE!

Let the nature take is course people.

Humans, by stepping in and taking that role in nature, we may be able to achieve more biodiversity in the environment, rather than just having barred owls take over and wipe out all the prey species.

Save the Spotted Owl

Let us preserve barred owls.

They're beautiful creature, we shouldn't kill them cause they balance our ecosystem without them there is imbalance in our ecosystem. We should protect them.

No.

Why kill owls they ancient birds

Only one of these owls is a poster child for conservationists. Protecting the spotted owl has been a key reason for limiting access to old forest. If they were gone, replaced by their cousins the Barred owl, conservationists would have to look for another "threatened" species in the old growth forest. I propose letting nature take it's course. These owls are both native, and if the Spotted owls goes extinct because it was unable to compete...thats nature's way.

Let them free!❤️

That owl fed it's babies a white mouse? In the wild

Why not capture the spotted and force breed

Eat em up

Natural selection

Just safely identify the barred owls, catch them, and turn most of them into barred underwear.

bem

Do REALLY want to shoot the barred owls you could get the barred owls extient too. There can be another way

hoo hoo hoo

I love both owls! Let nature be nature!

💁😍

Why playing God ?Just leave them live life. Maybe the best way to preserve them will be bringing food to them.

Why not let natural selection work it's self out? Survival of the fittest right?

Why would you do this 🤬😡😱😥😓

Why? Forget your science and let nature be natural. Why play God?

Hire me I hate owls

sovushki