Despite Protections, Spotted Owl Still at Risk
National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The barred owl, left, and the Northern Spotted Owl, right.
Even after years of protection as an endangered species, the Northern Spotted Owl is still at risk of extinction. Logging companies and some government biologists say the Barred Owl -- an aggressive interloper from the East Coast -- is pushing the meeker spotted owls out of their nesting areas. Others say the timber industry is trying to make the Barred Owl the scapegoat for the industry's weak habitat-protection efforts.
Related NPR Stories
Spotted Owl Still Faces Extinction Aug. 6, 2004
Saving the Spotted Owl Aug. 6, 2004
Comments
Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see the Community FAQ for more information.