Killing One Owl to Save Another Owl? | National Geographic

Summary

The script discusses the plight of the spotted owl, facing extinction due to the invasive bar owl. Despite habitat protections, the spotted owl population is in decline. The speaker, a conservationist, grapples with the difficult decision to use lethal removal of bar owls to save the spotted owls. Long-term studies reveal a significant annual decline in the northern range. The speaker is cautiously optimistic about the potential for coexistence after bar owl removal, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity for future generations.

Takeaways

• 🦅 The speaker is emotionally conflicted about lethally removing birds, indicating the difficulty of the decision.
• 📈 In the early 1990s, the population of barred owls increased, while the spotted owl population declined.
• 🔍 Habitat models indicated suitable habitats for spotted owls, yet their numbers continued to decrease.
• 🤔 The only feasible solution considered was the lethal removal of barred owls due to the difficulty of capturing them and uncertainty about what to do with them afterward.
• 📉 Long-term studies in the late 80s and early 90s showed a gradual decline in spotted owl populations, especially in Washington.
• 🏞️ Initial expectations were that protecting habitat would stabilize or increase spotted owl populations, but this did not happen.
• 🐾 Barred owls were found to invade spotted owl territories, causing physical confrontations and displacement.
• 🛡️ Two choices were presented: do nothing and allow spotted owls to go extinct, or control barred owl populations to allow coexistence.
• 📈 After initiating the removal of barred owls, spotted owl populations started to increase, suggesting the removal had a positive effect.
• 🧪 The speaker suggests experimental removal of barred owls to measure the effect on spotted owls from a scientific perspective.
• 🌿 The speaker believes in managing habitat for spotted owls and other old forest species, but is doubtful about long-term management of barred owls.
• 💔 The speaker expresses disappointment and disheartenment at the continued decline of the spotted owl population despite habitat protection efforts.
• 🌍 The speaker emphasizes the importance of protecting biodiversity for future generations and finds personal fulfillment in this work.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial reaction to the idea of lethal removal of birds?

The speaker was initially shaking and unsure, finding the idea of lethal removal very difficult due to the birds' beauty and close relation.

What are the two closely related birds mentioned in the script?

The two closely related birds mentioned are the spotted owl and the barred owl.

When did the barred owl numbers start to increase significantly?

The barred owl numbers started to increase significantly around the late 1990s to early 2000s.

What was the initial assumption about the spotted owl population after habitat protection?

The initial assumption was that if habitat was protected, the spotted owl population would reach equilibrium or even increase.

What did the long-term demography studies reveal about the spotted owl population?

The studies revealed that the spotted owl populations were gradually declining, with an estimated decline of about 7 or 8% per year in Washington.

How were the spotted owls tracked in the studies?

The spotted owls were tracked by banding them and following them every year as part of the long-term demography studies.

What is the main threat to the spotted owls as indicated by the script?

The main threat to the spotted owls is the invasion of their habitat by the barred owls, which chase and physically hit them.

What are the two choices presented for the spotted owl's survival?

The two choices are to either do nothing and let the spotted owls go extinct or to control the barred owls in some areas to allow coexistence.

What was the immediate effect on the spotted owl population after the removal of barred owls?

The immediate effect was a reversal in the spotted owl population's decline, with an increase in the number of occupied sites.

What is the purpose of experimental removal of barred owls according to the speaker?

The purpose is to measure the effect on the spotted owl population and to understand if it is feasible from a scientific perspective.

What is the speaker's opinion on managing the barred owls in the long run?

The speaker believes that managing the barred owls in the long run is not feasible and that the focus should be on managing habitat for the spotted owls.

Why is biodiversity important to the speaker?

Biodiversity is important to the speaker because it makes life interesting on this planet and they believe it's crucial to protect it for future generations.