Wildlife Officials Plan to Cull Nearly Half a Million Barred Owls to Protect Spotted Owls

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has put forth a proposal to cull nearly 450,000 invasive barred owls in Washington state, Oregon, and California over the next 30 years. This initiative aims to protect native spotted owls from potential extinction due to increased competition and interrupted nesting caused by the larger and more aggressive barred owls. The agency’s plan involves removing less than 0.5 percent of the current North American barred owl population annually. Trained professionals would use shotguns to remove the barred owls, with a maximum of 15,000 owls per year. The carcasses would be disposed of appropriately to mitigate any negative impact on the environment. The culling is set to commence in the upcoming spring season. Despite the necessity of the culling according to federal authorities, animal rights activists have criticized the plan, citing concerns about the protection of barred owls under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Additionally, the Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy have expressed doubt about the effectiveness and cost of the proposal, labeling it as unsustainable and likely to fail in the long term. Please rephrase this sentence.

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