Elizabeth Choppy, Stanhope School
Sussex County
Barred owl. Sussex County. Elizabeth Choppy
Barred Owl
I am a Barred Owl. I am an endangered species. The wildlife officials are looking to protect the Spotted Owl. In order to protect the Spotted Owls, shooting Barred Owls has been considered.
When Spotted Owl and Barred Owls share the same environment, we tend to be more aggressive, leading to decreased populations of the Spotted Owls. The wildlife officials are killing my kind, so the Spotted Owls can live freely. Barred Owls are a big threat to Spotted Owls and Spotted Owls are federally protected. Approximately 1,200 to 1,500 Barred Owls may be killed. Also, Barred Owls prey on Spotted Owls. Collectors have been taking our eggs, decreasing us even more.
We live in swampy woodlands in the eastern United States and some parts of Canada. We have been ranging more to the west, where Spotted Owls inhabit. Our habitat has been disappearing because people have been cutting down old, overgrown forest, where we live. We feed on mice, squirrels, rabbits, moles, and rats. We are fluffy, brown, and yellow nosed creatures.
I recommend that you help us (Barred Owls) because we did nothing wrong and deserve a second chance to live. There's plenty of things you can do the help save Barred Owls. I believe myself, as an owl, that you should come together in agreement and help save my kind. Even though we prey on Spotted Owls it does not mean that we should be extinct. You can help us by not cutting down overgrown forest, our habitat. You can also help by not taking our eggs.
There has not been a final decision if we will become extinct. The wildlife officials are still discussing and considering alternatives, so we will not be killed and Spotted Owls can also, live unharmed.
Written by: Elizabeth Choppy
Stanhope School, Stanhope
Teacher: Mrs. Rocco