The population of snowy owls soaring over the Arctic tundra is declining significantly due to various threats. Despite this, the process of granting legal protection to these iconic North birds is moving slowly.
Habitat loss and the difficulty in finding prey as ground cover thickens pose a significant threat to the snowy owl population. Additionally, collisions with vehicles, buildings, and power poles during migration are contributing to the decrease in numbers. Currently, the population of these birds stands at around 14,000 and is decreasing by over 30% per decade.
The assessment of the snowy owl as threatened is due to the sharp decline in its numbers, according to Syd Cannings, a retired biologist who was part of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. However, legal protection is not automatically triggered by a scientific assessment of declining population. Extensive consultations involving researchers, federal, Indigenous, and local governments are conducted to determine conservation efforts after a species is recognized as threatened, a process that can last for two years or more.
The slow process of granting legal protection to the snowy owl begins with the committee spending at least two years analyzing data to establish a species’ status, leaving the species vulnerable for years before conservation actions can be implemented. According to Cannings, the formal listing under federal law can take two years or more from the time a species is assessed as threatened in the North.
The snowy owl is considered an indicator of environmental health, as described by Cannings, making it an umbrella species. The declining population of snowy owls is a global threat affecting not only the bird but also other flora and fauna. The main threat faced by the snowy owl is the gradual alteration of its habitat due to a warming world, leading to a loss of nesting and hunting grounds.
Consultations regarding the protection of the snowy owl are currently ongoing, as reported by the federal government. The assessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada is the initial step in a series of actions under the Species at Risk Act. The environment minister received the assessment of the snowy owl on Oct. 16, followed by an extension of consultation timelines on Jan. 16 to meet land claims obligations.
The snowy owl, known for its nomadic behavior and feeding habits, faces various threats such as avian flu and accidents with vehicles and buildings as it migrates. The complexity of factors contributing to the decline in snowy owl numbers makes conservation efforts challenging. The link between the snowy owl and the far North is deeply rooted in culture and resonates with people, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to protect this iconic bird.