Declining Indian owl population blamed on Harry Potter fans

Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh blames India's declining owl populations on the wealthy parents of young Harry Potter fans who want their own pet owls to carry messages for them. However, there is also the little matter of the traditional what wildlife group Traffic says is a trend to Diwali owl sacrifice.

"Following Harry Potter, there seems to be a strange fascination even among the urban middle classes for presenting their children with owls," Ramesh said Wednesday, according to comments reported by the BBC.

His remarks came as wildlife group Traffic presented a report called "Imperilled Custodians of the Night" which warned about the declining owl population in India.

Researchers found that a growing number of owls were being trapped, traded or killed in black magic rituals.

Harry Potter blamed for India's owl crisis (via /.)

(Image: Eagle Owl (Explored), a Creative Commons Attribution (2.0) image from jingleslenobel's photostream)

• [Jonathan Badger]

  This has been going on for a long time in the West — consider the lyrics to “Staurt” by The Dead Milkmen:

  “You know that Jonny Wurster kid, the kid that delivers papers in the neighborhood. He’s a fine kid. Some of the neighbors say he smokes crack, but I don’t believe it. Anyway, for his tenth birthday, all he wanted was a Burrow Owl. Kept bugging his old man. ‘Dad, get me a burrow owl. I’ll never ask for anything else as long as I live.’ So the guy breaks down and buys him a burrow owl…”

• [mdh]

  Two barely related stories, one about cultists which is probably false, and the other about the government which is well sourced and rational – and also completely obliterated by association with the fantasy story.

  Why does AFP hate owls?

• [Anonymous]

  Oh those poor hoo-hoo birds. Who would want to hurt an owly? Whoooo I ask?

• [Antinous / Moderator]

  Elsewhere, the books have contributed to owl conservation efforts. Clearly there are death eaters at work in India.

• [Pantograph]

  “Ungrateful child! Do you know who your father had to bribe to get you a stuffed owl? Now why are you crying? You said you liked owls!”

  The Fresh Prince was right. Parents just don’t understand.

• [Anonymous]

  It’s not Diwali, it’s the day before which is Kali Chaturdashi. This is supposed to be the best day of the year for initiation into mantras and other tantric lore. There is no traditional owl sacrifice. Animals such as goats, buffalos or roosters are often sacrificed by the extreme or “left-handed” tantrics but this is the first I’ve heard about owls.

• [kento]

  o rly

• [Vinayak]

  It does happen. Here’s an old News report
  ‘Divali sounds death knell for owls’
  here:
  http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031024/ldh1.htm

  And blame it all on Kashmir :)

  ‘A Kashmir rumour sparks owl hunt in north India’

  http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/20003.html

• [Anonymous]

  Everyone knows its Hobbits that are being presented to kids as gifts now. Get with the program.

• [TharkLord]

  My cat is still upset about the Bible.

• [Halloween Jack]

  Something tells me that the “Harry Potter” connection is as bogus as the claims that “satanic” slayings of black cats tend to rise around Halloween. (There are mutilations and killings of black cats, as well as other colors and species of pets, year-round, of course, but no particular incidence around Halloween; nevertheless, most shelter owners won’t allow adoptions of black cats for a month beforehand.)

  • [HowardsGrl]

    I agree that some things are bogus. Interestingly enough, when we went to adopt a kitten from the shelter it was in the month of October, and they were very happy we picked a black one. Apparently the black ones are the last to go due to people’s silly superstitions.

  • [StudioCenter]

    I sure hope so!