Lawmakers call on Trump administration to nix plan to shoot 450,000 owls, citing cost
Los Angeles TimesFEB 2025
The barred owl-killing plan is a crucial last-resort measure to prevent the extinction of native spotted owls, which face imminent disappearance within decades without intervention. The federal government has a legal obligation to protect endangered species, making this difficult but necessary action unavoidable.
This program is fiscally irresponsible, ethically questionable, and ultimately futile. It represents government overreach in attempting to control natural range expansion at an astronomical cost to taxpayers. Surviving owls will simply refill the vacuum created by removals, making this an endless and ineffective cycle of killing.
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0