In a significant step towards conserving the dwindling population of burrowing owls in Canada, the Wilder Institute in collaboration with the Calgary Zoo has taken a remarkable initiative. Recently, a cohort of 20 adult burrowing owls was released into the vast landscapes of southeastern Alberta.
This strategic move is aimed at countering the distressing population decline that the species has endured over the last four decades. Graham Dixon-MacCallum, a distinguished conservation research population ecologist affiliated with the Wilder Institute and Calgary Zoo, articulated the purpose behind this release: “We’re releasing them as adults now in the hope that then they’ll mate and produce more baby owls.”
The release marks a critical juncture in the endeavor to revive these enchanting creatures and foster a resurgence in their numbers, symbolizing a dedicated commitment to safeguarding Canada’s precious biodiversity.
