Preservation Through Education

THE NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY

C O N S E R V A T I O N E T H I C S S P O T T E D O W L V S B A R R E D O W L

The natural world works in a fasci-

nating equilibrium. Human conser-

vation management has become a

necessity due to negative repercus-

sions of our actions. British Colum-

bia is home to an amazing range of

wildlife. Unfortunately, the number

of endangered and extirpated spe-

cies continues to climb. Human ac-

tivity is the main reason why the en-

dangered species list is steadily

growing. One endangered species in

particular, the spotted owl, has been

frequenting the news in the Pacific

Northwest for a number of years

and can be seen in headlines across

the United States and Canada. Part

of the controversy has been the con-

servation plan which prescribed the

culling of barred owls. Both owls are

native species and have co-existed

for many years but now the barred

owl is seen as a rival that is out-

competing the spotted owl.

In conservation sciences many scien-

tists believe that organisms have in-

trinsic worth. An organism has the

right to exist as a separate entity.

When creating management plans it

is easy to reinforce the worth of cer-

tain species based on the integral

role it plays in an ecosystem or the

added value that humans benefit

from. Besides all of the added values

a species may contribute, they also

have intrinsic value. One reason

some people may not believe in pro-

tection of endangered species is be-

cause extinction is a normal function

of the natural world. Losing species

in large numbers has occurred in the

past, these events are called mass

extinctions. We are currently enter-

ing a phase of mass extinction called

the Holocene extinction. This is the

first mass extinction to be caused by

one species, Homo sapiens. The cur-

rent extinction rate is around 2.5% a

year whereas past extinction rates

are estimated to be less than one

species per year. Human activity

plays a large role in the accelerated

rate of extinction.

C O N S E R V A T I O N E T H I C S S P O T T E D O W L V S B A R R E D O W L

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society 720-1190 Melville Street Vancouver BC, V6E 3W1 t 604.568.4907 f 604-568-6152 w www.northwestwildlife.com 1

S P O T T E D O W L

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society 720-1190 Melville Street Vancouver BC, V6E 3W1 t 604.568.4907 f 604-568-6152 w www.northwestwildlife.com 2

The main contributors to species loss are habitat destruction, pollution of

the environment, and overharvesting. Habitat destruction includes frag-

mentation which degrades the quality of the habitat. Another factor is habi-

tat loss which is often caused by urban encroachment and urban conver-

sion. The more an area is polluted, direct harm can come to wildlife as well

as a decrease in their food source and habitat. Overharvesting of an area al-

so contributes to the loss of the resources a species may need to sustain a

healthy population.

B A R R E D O W L

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society 720-1190 Melville Street Vancouver BC, V6E 3W1 t 604.568.4907 f 604-568-6152 w www.northwestwildlife.com 3

Plans across North America cropped up to relocate and exterminate the

barred owl seeing as they have similar habitat and food source needs as

the spotted owl. In order for the natural oscillation between two competi-

tive species to occur, a threshold of the resources they are competing for

can’t dip below a certain level. Conservation plans that ensure there is a

sufficient area of habitat and large enough food source encourages the nat-

ural oscillation to take place around the biological equilibrium of those two

species. The underlying problem is not the barred owl out-competing the

spotted owl, it is the lack of habitat which is leading to an insufficient food

source. With the individuals in the barred owl population being targeted,

this is not the first time a species quality of life and right to exist has been

compromised in conservation efforts of another species.

Works Cited:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/extinction_events

http://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/intrinsic-value-ecology-and-conservation-25815400

http://www.npr.org/2014/01/15/262735123/to-save-threatened-owl-another-species-is-shot

http://www.rug.nl/research/theoretical-biology/_pdf/hw02_ecores.pdf

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Glimmer+hope+endangered+owls/9860860/story.html

Publication by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society and written by Anitra Paris

David Patte/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society 720-1190 Melville Street Vancouver BC, V6E 3W1 t 604.568.4907 f 604-568-6152 w www.northwestwildlife.com 4