It害羞草研究所檚 an exciting, hopeful, moment for B.C.害羞草研究所檚 wild spotted owls after a second release brings their population from one to three.
Two male spotted owls, named 害羞草研究所榮铆tist害羞草研究所� [te-syst] and 害羞草研究所榳铆kcn害羞草研究所� [week-chin], were released on July 25 into the protected habitat in the Fraser Canyon. Their release is part of a partnership between the province害羞草研究所檚 Spotted Owl Breeding and Release Program and Spuzzum First Nation, to help recover the wild northern spotted owl populations in B.C.
害羞草研究所淪upporting the recovery of threatened species in B.C. is a priority for my ministry,害羞草研究所� said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. 害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 why we害羞草研究所檙e running the world害羞草研究所檚 only captive breeding and release program for northern spotted owls. Our strategy and the decisions we害羞草研究所檙e making to support spotted owl recovery are based on the best available science and Indigenous knowledge.害羞草研究所�
In addition to the two male owls, one female 害羞草研究所� who was born in the wild 害羞草研究所� is also living in the Fraser Canyon.
According to the government, the two males were assessed 害羞草研究所渁s healthy and ready to fend for themselves害羞草研究所� prior to their release. This includes showing that they could catch live prey and maintain a stable body weight.
This is the program害羞草研究所檚 second release of captive-bred spotted owls into the wild. S铆tist was originally released in August 2022, with two other males, as part of the program害羞草研究所檚 first release. Unfortunately, he was later found injured near train tracks in the Fraser Canyon. After being rehabilitated by the Orphaned Wildlife Society, he was returned to the program害羞草研究所檚 breeding facility in Langley.
Later, in May of this year, ministry staff confirmed that the two other males had died from unknown causes.
害羞草研究所淲e have a dedicated team of experts that includes First Nations and ministry staff that are doing everything they can to help spotted owls recover. We are hopeful, but this is a long process with no guarantee of success,害羞草研究所� Cullen said. 害羞草研究所淭he first release helped us learn more about raising and releasing captive-bred birds into the wild and has informed our existing protocols and procedures for transporting, releasing and supporting released owls.
害羞草研究所淲e remain committed to doing everything we can to support the recovery of northern spotted owls and continue to learn from the released owls to support their species害羞草研究所� survival.害羞草研究所�
The spotted owls, whose name in Spuzzum is Skel煤le? (Northern Spotted Owl is the name given by settlers of Canada), are seen as important relatives of the First Nation community, whose 害羞草研究所減resence are indicative of the health of the environment.害羞草研究所�
An assembled team 害羞草研究所� made up of representatives of Spuzzum, the B.C. government, biologists, and Northern Spotted Owl experts 害羞草研究所� worked together from the beginning of the project. It is the partnership害羞草研究所檚 goal to eventually release as many as 20 spotted owls per year.
Both releases, which are a significant step towards an eventual self-sustaining population in B.C., were carefully planned government-to-government processes that incorporated Indigenous knowledge and guidance. A detailed assessment of the birds害羞草研究所� readiness was also necessary for their important move, which would see their return to Spuzzum.
In the time leading up to the first release, the province worked with the First Nations in B.C. to protect more than 280,000 hectares of spotted owl habitat in the Cascade region under the Spotted Owl Management Plan 害羞草研究所� a territory that can support 250 owls.
Like before, Ministry staff are monitoring the owls害羞草研究所� progress and are prepared to step in to help ensure their best chance of survival. Spuzzum Nation land guardians and members are also providing support with their knowledge of the health and well-being of the land.
In hopes of supporting their population害羞草研究所檚 recovery, an old-growth logging ban was also extended for part of the Fraser Canyon (where the birds were released) for another two years. An emergency order was also being recommended, earlier this year by the federal government, to help protect the spotted owl and it害羞草研究所檚 habitat from further logging and other activity that could disrupt their population growth.
Due to the need to safeguard these owls from any outside disturbance, both the media and the general public are not allowed access to the release site until further notice.
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