Nicosia, Cyprus. Barn owls support natural biological control of rodents, benefiting public health and the environment and requiring special protection, the game and wildlife service said on Tuesday.
Role in rodent population control
The service said a pair of barn owls can prey on a few thousand rodents per year, reducing crop damage and limiting the need for chemical rodenticides. It added that this helps protect both the environment and public health.
Warning over rat poison
Emphasising the barn owl’s role in the ecosystem, the service warned that the use of rat poison and similar substances can have serious consequences for non-target species, including owls and other wildlife.
Research findings on rodenticides
The service said research carried out in collaboration with the state laboratory analysed dozens of samples from dead predators and found remains of rodenticides in 80 per cent of them.
Inspections and nesting programme
During a recent nest inspection, the service said dead rodents were found, confirming the species’ ongoing contribution to rodent control. It also recorded barn owl chicks, which it said demonstrated successful propagation in artificial nests set up for the animals.
Long-running monitoring and protection
The service said it has implemented a systematic monitoring and protection programme for the barn owl for more than 25 years, describing it as a particularly beneficial predatory species for agricultural ecosystems.
What steps do you think should be prioritised to reduce rodenticide risks to barn owls and other wildlife?