Summary
The Senate decided not to stop a plan to kill barred owls in an effort to protect spotted owls. Barred owls are more aggressive and threaten the habitat of spotted owls, which are already struggling due to habitat loss. Advocacy groups are upset about the decision, suggesting habitat protection instead of culling.
Key Facts
- The Senate voted against stopping a plan to kill barred owls to protect spotted owls.
- Barred owls threaten spotted owls by moving into their territories.
- Spotted owls face habitat loss due to timber harvests and wildfires.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believes the culling of barred owls is necessary for spotted owl survival.
- The plan involves trained shooters targeting barred owls over a 30-year period in California, Oregon, and Washington.
- Some advocacy groups argue the plan is cruel and will not solve the problem.
- There is a call to focus on habitat preservation for the spotted owls instead.
