A draft from the Obama administration plans on balancing the quantity of spotted owls in comparison to “overpopulated” barred owls. For over a decade, spotted owls have steeply declined due to forest loss and rival owls. Their territorial nature has dampened their ability to adapt to new habitats and competitors. The notoriously territorial species has reduced to a dwindling number of 1000’s and are still steadily declining. Obama has put forth a plan to provide 12.7 million acres of habitat to protect the spotted owls and reduce the barred owl population through forceful external and internal methods.
From the Chicago Tribune,
The draft plan is a science-based approach to forestry that restores the health of our lands and wildlife and supports jobs and revenue for local communities. Interior secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement this week, The US Fish and Wildlife Service is considering combinations of both lethal and non-lethal methods to remove the barred owl, the statement said. They include capturing and relocating them to placing the in permanent captivity.
According to David Almasi, the director of Occupy D.C., Obama has the authority rearrange beneficiaries from bailouts, handouts and energy source. However he should not have the authority to choose the survival of one animal over another. The stated “war on terror” is set to begin within the next few weeks.
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