From the article (PNAS): “Definitive evidence on the efficacy of lethal control is hard to come by. Arguments for and against are infused with questions about ethics as much as the science.” On November 23, 2023 - I observed a Barred Owl on my deck railing - perched on a water dish - and posted her…

How close are those owl species? Would they interbreed producing fertile offspring? A hybrid Morse code owl might be more resilient and start spreading.

Is killing animals an effective way to regulate populations? Yes Should we kill animals for this purpose? Totally different question . . . Animal populations are always rising and falling with NO impact from humans. Most of the most interesting mammal species (like rhinos the size of giraffes) aro…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_spotted_owl#Hybridization Doesn’t say anything about fertility.

Really depends on the species. I volunteer doing invasive plant treatment, and it has a huge impact on the environment, allowing for a more open and natural environment. I would tentatively say yes, but there’s a lot that needs to be considered before taking such drastic measures, obviously.

I heard birth control was used to control rat populations. For Owls, obviously one would not want a native owl to feed on birth control unintentionally. Yeah, not sure this would work like it does for rats.

[image] cyanfox: Individuals have a right to live, but there is no, or little ethical value in keeping species around for the sake of it. Species is after all, an arbitrary construct Hard disagree. I don’t believe animal life is sacred to the same level as human life, although killing them wi…

Thank you! I found some discussion on the other other topic as well. Does not look that promising.

Nothern spotted are as good as gone. They do not spread even under artificially improved circumstances. Killing large number of barred owls to postpone the inevitable is wrong. The northern spotted could be saved if there is a habitat for them where they would be competitive against the barred or …

This is definitely a complex topic. My opinion is that if the owls (or any invasive animal) are negatively affecting and threatening local species, killing them is often the best method of population regulation. As long as it is done ethically, it is okay, but still sad. I don’t know if I would be a…

Is killing animals an effective way to regulate populations?

Nature Talk

pmeisenheimer April 24, 2025, 1:53am 7

There’s a pretty detailed discussion of this stuff in this topic.

Topic		Replies	Views
Northern Spotted Owl and Barred Owl Nature Talk	60	4422	May 2, 2024
The ecological impact of hunting Nature Talk	53	5707	February 19, 2023
Killing an Invasive to Save Natives Nature Talk question , ethics , discussion	59	2279	December 9, 2024
"Justice for Animals: Our Collective Responsibility" new book by Martha Nussbaum (2023) - discussion/debate Nature Talk	21	2175	December 13, 2022
Thoughts on hunting and fishing? Nature Talk	53	1462	October 28, 2024

Is killing animals an effective way to regulate populations?

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