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Black Magic and Harry Potter Spell Trouble for India’s Owls

Posted by: Frank Indiviglio in Bird Conservation, Bird Research or Recent News, Wild Birds December 2, 2010 Comments Off on Black Magic and Harry Potter Spell Trouble for India’s Owls 6409 Views

Eagle OwlI’d like to depart from pet trade birds today to highlight a serious conservation concern that has remained largely un-noticed until quite recently.  Most bird enthusiasts are aware that superstition has played a role in the demise of rhinos, tigers and other creatures, but our avian friends usually face other threats.  However, it now seems that an unlikely combination of ancient sorcery and modern pop culture is threatening the continued existence of owls in India and, perhaps, elsewhere.

Sorcery and Witchcraft

India’s 30 owl species have been strictly protected since 1972.  However, recent studies have shown that they are in great demand for use in black-magic and even religious rituals.  While many folks tend to write off such threats as “marginal”, a report issued by TRAFFIC India (please see below) documents that many thousands of owls are killed each year to satisfy the bizarre demands of those who believe in their magical properties.

At least 15 species native to India are being taken from the wild, including the tiny Spotted Owlet, the huge Eagle Owl and even rare specialists such as Tawny and Brown Fish Owls (please see photos).

The Evil Side of Harry Potter

In an even stranger twist of fate, it appears that Harry Potter movies and books, which have become pop culture icons worldwide, have spurred a real increase in the collection and sale of owls as pets.  India’s Minister of Environment and Forests makes the point that this threat comes from upwardly-mobile, educated urbanites Tawny Fish Owlpurchasing owls for their children!

India’s Owls are not likely to survive the two-pronged attack from both poor rural residents and wealthy urban-dwellers.

Other Threats

Owls are also captured for use in street performances and folk medicine, and as decoys to attract game birds; a demand for owl trophies and owl meat adds to the problem.  Products from other protected species, including mongoose hair, snake skins, rhino horn and tiger claws, as well as live birds of many species, are frequently found in Indian markets selling owls.

Urban Owls

If given half a chance, many owl species can survive near and even within large cities.  Active by night, and favoring the rats, mice and sparrows so common in urban centers, some do quite well among us.  Abandoned buildings are a favorite nesting site for the Barn Owls that have taken up residence in the Bronx, NY.

I’ve observed 6-7 species right in New York City, 3 or 4 of which still nest in Manhattan (Great Horned, Barn, Screech and Saw-Whet Owls).  The Great Horned Owl (please see article below), is large enough to prey upon cats and skunks – that such a magnificent predator can survive in our midst gives me hope for the future of owls everywhere – but they need our help.  Please see the articles below to learn more.

Further Reading

Spotted OwletThe text of the TRAFFIC report on India’s owls and a video update may be viewed here.

Video of a Fish Owl Hunting.

Great Horned Owls in NYC
Eagle Owl image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Mila Zinkova
Tawny Fish Owl image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Jayanthsharma
Spotted Owlet image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by J.M. Garg

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I believe that I was born with an intense interest in animals, as neither I nor any of my family can recall a time when I was not fascinated by creatures large and small. One might imagine this to be an unfortunate set of circumstances for a person born and raised in the Bronx, but, in actuality, quite the opposite was true. Most importantly, my family encouraged both my interest and the extensive menagerie that sprung from it. My mother and grandmother somehow found ways to cope with the skunks, flying squirrels, octopus, caimans and countless other odd creatures that routinely arrived un-announced at our front door. Assisting in hand-feeding hatchling praying mantises and in eradicating hoards of mosquitoes (I once thought I had discovered “fresh-water brine shrimp” and stocked my tanks with thousands of mosquito larvae!) became second nature to them. My mother went on to become a serious naturalist, and has helped thousands learn about wildlife in her 16 years as a volunteer at the Bronx Zoo. My grandfather actively conspired in my zoo-buildings efforts, regularly appearing with chipmunks, boa constrictors, turtles rescued from the Fulton Fish Market and, especially, unusual marine creatures. It was his passion for seahorses that led me to write a book about them years later. Thank you very much, for a complete biography of my experience click here.
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