In 1958, Hawaii introduced barn owls to control rats in sugarcane fields; the owls spread across the islands and began killing endangered seabirds
Barn owls were introduced to Hawaii in the late 1950s to control rats. These owls later began preying on native seabirds, including endangered species. Studies documented numerous predation cases involving eight different seabird species. DNA analysis suggests traditional monitoring methods underestimate owl predation on these birds. This biological control effort created an unexpected conservation challenge for Hawaii's wildlife.
Barn owls were introduced to Hawaii in the late 1950s to control rats. These owls later began preying on native seabirds, including endangered species. Studies documented numerous predation cases involving eight different seabird species. DNA analysis suggests traditional monitoring methods underestimate owl predation on these birds. This biological control effort created an unexpected conservation challenge for Hawaii's wildlife.
