Defending Barred Owls
Working to stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's unprecedented Barred Owl Kill Plan that we believe is scientifically flawed, ethically indefensible, and unlikely to solve the real problems facing spotted owls.
The issue
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is implementing a drastic plan to kill up to 450,000 barred owls over 30 years across the Pacific Northwest — a program that is costly, unworkable, and inhumane. North American natives, barred owls have long been protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Yet the agency has foolishly proceeded with this unprecedented plan to assault North American forest owls. Never has any nation conducted such an immense slaughter of native birds of prey.
The federal government has chosen to play god and wage war on one native owl species in hopes of saving another.
We’re refusing to stand by while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implements this unprecedented killing campaign that we believe to be scientifically flawed, ethically indefensible, and unlikely to solve the real problems facing spotted owls.
The Solution
We’re fighting this plan on multiple fronts. Our legal team is challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in court while we continue building public opposition, educating policymakers, and advancing practical, non-lethal alternatives that protect wildlife without resorting to mass killing.
We have also united hundreds of wildlife, conservation, and animal protection organizations in opposition to this reckless, cruel plan.
Learn about our campaign
FACT SHEET: Fish and Wildlife Service Hatches Unworkable, Inhumane, Wasteful Plan to Slaughter Barred Owls, download here
It's Do or Die for Barred Owls | 10-24-25
Stop the Barred Owl Massacre
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