Releases
The ultimate goal of the NSOBP is the recovery of northern spotted owls in British Columbia by creating a self-sustaining population in the wild. We recognize and honour the traditional land and skies of the northern spotted owl and the release sites we are striving to return them to. For us, bringing them home to the skies their ancestors once flew is actionable reconciliation for the owls, the land, and Indigenous peoples.
The Government of B.C. has 300,000 hectares of protected habitat within Wildlife Management Areas, provincial parks, and Managed Wildlife Management Areas. These areas have been designated to protect habitat across the range of the spotted owl in British Columbia. The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship is responsible for developing and implementing a release plan. It is not public, but there is information about protected habitat and other objectives available.
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Owl candidates for release are determined months in advance, and based on many factors:
Release candidates are between 1-2 years to minimize the risk of habituation (becoming accustomed to humans) and optimize their survival odds. Survivorship is low in juveniles during their first year in the wild since they require more food and disperse to establish their own territories.
SOFT RELEASES & ACCLIMATION
Spotted owl releases are “soft” releases where the owls become familiar with the sights and sounds of their new surroundings in an enclosed aviary at the release site. Aviaries are built similar in size to those at the NSOBP with special consideration to shade availability, proximity to old-growth, prey populations, and security.
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Owls are monitored closely and onsite staff provide live food and record behaviours. On release day, aviary doors are opened and the owls can leave at their own pace.
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POST RELEASE MONITORING
Before release, owls are weighed and fitted with GPS and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio tags. These tags are incredibly lightweight and do not restrict owl movements or flight.
A field team uses the data from the trackers to locate individuals, learn about their movements, and provide supplemental food if possible.
COLLABORATION
Spotted owl releases are a monumental team effort, including collaboration and consultation with First Nation communities by the Government of B.C. as we work towards the recovery of spotted owls. Owl husbandry, veterinary medicine, scheduling, logistics, permitting, construction, communications, security, mapping, administration, safety, and so much more are crucial to the release process.
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HAVE RELEASES STARTED?
The first release of NSOBP spotted owls occurred in 2022 when three owls were released into protected habitat in the Fraser Canyon, within the traditional territory of the Spô’zêm First Nation. While the owls successfully lived and hunted in their natural habitat for many months, one was injured that October and the other two did not make it through the winter. We are committed to learning and finding meaningful ways to support the owls released into the wild. Releases are ongoing.
