Conservationist Sarah Bradley is troubled by a concerning trend driven by social media that threatens the survival of snowy owls. Bradley, based in Saskatoon and affiliated with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, notes that the ease of sharing snowy owl photos and locations on social platforms has led to the use of live bait to attract these majestic birds for photography purposes.
The practice of using live bait, commonly store-bought mice, to lure snowy owls closer for better pictures is not limited to one province but is observed nationwide wherever these birds winter. While Bradley acknowledges the allure of snowy owls and people’s desire to capture them on camera, she emphasizes the potential harm caused by disturbing the birds with such practices.
Ensuring ethical photography practices when engaging in snowy owl tours or photography sessions is crucial, according to Bradley. Detecting whether a photo was taken using bait can be challenging, especially with advancements in telephoto lens technology. One indicator is if the owl is depicted head-on and in close proximity to the photographer, which suggests potential unethical behavior.
Snowy owls, known to breed north of the Arctic Circle and migrate south during winter, face threats to their population. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) recently classified snowy owls as “threatened” due to a significant decline in their numbers over the past few decades. This decline, estimated at over 40%, is primarily attributed to climate changes affecting the availability of lemmings, the main food source for snowy owls.
While not illegal in Saskatchewan, the use of live bait to attract owls has raised concerns among wildlife advocates. Alysa Daku, a wildlife rehabilitator at Living Skies Wildlife Rehab in Saskatoon, advocates for implementing bylaws to address this issue. Birds Canada, a charitable organization focused on bird conservation, also warns against baiting owls, highlighting how this practice can disrupt their natural hunting behaviors and increase the risk of collisions with vehicles.
Overall, the conservation community urges responsible behavior and respect for wildlife when interacting with snowy owls to ensure their well-being and conservation for future generations.