Owl Conservation Awareness Camp in Nepal

Students in Kathmandu Learn About Threats to Native Raptor Species

Jan 26, 2009

With owls facing habitat loss and illegal trade, combating traditional belief that these nocturnal birds are a bad omen is part of Nepal's wildlife conservation program.

Friends of Nature Nepal exposes students to owl biology and threats to the species while also exploring local legends about these birds of prey as one part of their larger Owls of Nepal program.

The Owls of Nepal

There are twenty species of owl found in Nepal and none are considered endangered by CITES or the IUCN. They range in size from tiny owlets (Glaucidium sp) to Eagle Owls (Bubo sp) which are among the largest of the world’s owls. Despite their healthy status worldwide, there is concern that four owl species may be threatened within Nepal.

The four species-Dusky Eagle Owl (Bubo coromandus), Tawny Fish Owl (Ketupa flavipes), Grass Owl (Tyto capensis) and the Spot-bellied Eagle Owl (Bubo nipalensis) are all large birds, which may be a factor in their decline.

Threats to Owls in Nepal

In Nepal owls face extra threats based on cultural beliefs. A neck ring made of owl bones is thought to chase evil spirits away, giving incentive to kill owls. The smaller owls are considered helpful as they prey on mice and harmful insects and thus are less likely to be killed. But the large owls are considered to be harbingers of death, which may help explain why the four endangered owl species are large birds.

The Owl Conservation Camp

In 2008 over 70 Nepalese children of middle school age participated in an Owl Conservation Camp where they learned about the importance of owls in a healthy ecosystem. The camp, organized by Friends of Nature Nepal, was supported by the Global Owl Project and the World Owl Trust. In addition to lectures on local owl species and being introduced to owl habitats, the students participated in brainstorming sessions on how to change the image of the owl and protect these native birds of prey.

While the number of students participating in the first camp was not large, the program got significant media attention, bringing the information to many more people in the area. The camp is part of a larger public awareness and education program, which in turn is an aspect of the wildlife conservation project called Owls of Nepal.

Beyond the education and outreach work, the organizations involved are conducting surveys of owl populations in important protected areas within Nepal and looking into the issue of illegal trade in owls. Educating children and involving them in the process of protecting Nepal’s owls may help change the way the country views its native species.

The copyright of the article Owl Conservation Awareness Camp in Nepal in Wildlife Conservation is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish Owl Conservation Awareness Camp in Nepal in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.