Harry Potter: Bad for Owls?

Authorities in India are blaming dwindling populations of wild owls, at least in part, on the fabulously popular Harry Potter books and films. Owls play an important role in the Harry Potter franchise, serving as companions and messengers for the wizarding world. (Check out this great post about all the owls of the Harry Potter universe.)  Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said there’s been a significant increase in demand for birds as pets since the franchise exploded across the globe.

But TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, says in a new report that the use of wild owls in “black magic” rites plays a larger role. Owls are illegally trapped for use as animal sacrifices, or used in folk medicine or street performances.

It’s far better to symbolically adopt an owl from an organization that supports owls in the wild, says blogger Eve Conte (also known as Empress Eve) of “Geeks of Doom”:

I happen to love owls and every year I adopt a Snowy Owl from Defenders of Wildlife, an organization dedicated to help protect the species out in the wild. If a child really loves owls now thanks to Harry Potter, then the best thing a parent can do is donate to a wildlife fund dedicated to protecting owls — NOT take the owls from their natural environment and keep them as a pet.

Here at Defenders, we agree!

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Visit our Wildlife Adoption Center to adopt an owl or one of our other 26 imperiled animals today!