A team of field researchers, including Calgary Zoo Director Dr. Jake Veasey, released 84 captive-bred burrowing owls into artificial burrows in the Kamloops/Merritt region of British Columbia in mid-April.
The Calgary Zoo joined the burrowing owl project in 2004, and the research team provides assistance assessing owls, pairing, determining release locations and in the actual release of the owls to the wild.
“Each bird is assessed, paired and assigned to a release burrow to maximize genetic diversity,” explains Dr. Veasey. “As burrowing owls face increased challenges, the research opportunities and lessons learned from participating in this recovery project may be extremely valuable in securing a future for burrowing owls in other areas of Canada and the U.S.”
The recovery program relies on artificial burrows installed by volunteers and partner organizations because the natural burrowing animals that would have provided hand-me-down burrows for the owls have largely disappeared from the region. To date, over 400 artificial burrows have been installed in the BC release area.
Veasey continues, “Soft release cages are installed over each burrow prior to the release to ease the transition for the owls and then remain in place for about two weeks during which time the owls receive supplemental feeding.”
The release owls are captive-bred at two facilities operated by project partners – BC Wildlife Park and the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of British Columbia. The released owls are monitored by the Society through the summer.
Background
Burrowing owls are considered endangered across Canada. Where these tiny owls once occupied most of the grasslands of western Canada, they currently inhabit only 36 percent of their historical range. Over the past thirty years, the national population has declined from an estimated 3,000 pairs to fewer than 800 pairs.
Burrowing owls disappeared from British Columbia in the early 1980s and reintroduction efforts in the Kamloops/Merritt region began in early 1990. Since 1992, 1164 captive-bred burrowing owls have been released. While research suggests that burrowing owls don’t necessarily return to their birth place or previous year’s nest site each year, the return rate in this area is believed to be consistent with other regions in Canada. Burrowing owls from the prairies migrate to Texas and Mexico for the winter; owls banded in BC have been sighted in California, Oregon and Washington.
Burrowing owls depend on other ground-dwelling animals such as badgers, ground squirrels, prairie dogs and marmots to dig burrows that the owls later use for nesting, shelter and predator escape. Owl reproductive success and survival also depend on ample populations of prey such as mice, voles, grasshoppers and beetles. While no single factor has been identified as causing the decline of burrowing owl populations in Canada, the cumulative impacts of several factors are thought to be responsible. Potential threats include loss and fragmentation of grassland habitat, decreased prey availability, increased predation, inclement weather, vehicle mortalities, environmental contaminants and loss of other burrowing animals in the owls’ range.
More information on burrowing owl reintroductions in BC
Photo c Burrowing Owl Soc of BC
You can help the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC
“Our program is growing each year. So are our costs. With more owls we need more food and care for the birds, both for our breeding centres and in the field.
Burrowing Owls do best when they are fed mice. You might be surprised to know that each owl can eat 2 mice a day. These cost just under $1.00 each. This year we’ll have over 70 owls to feed at our Port Kells facility alone. You can see that the food budget for a year is over $50,000!
With more owls raised and released each year our program’s success is growing. Each year more owls return to the breeding ground from migration. Our goal is that one day there will be enough burrowing owls returning to raise their families in BC grasslands, that they will no longer need our help.
But for now we need your help to make this happen. Our breeding facility is operated entirely by volunteers. A donation to the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society will provide for food, shelter and veterinary care for our little charges. Your contribution will also support the fieldwork for the owls (and their young) once they are released.
The Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC is a registered charity. All Canadian donations will receive a tax receipt. “
Download the Burrowing Owl Brochure and help the owls today!