The region's best-known bird needs some help staying off the list of extinct animals.
The Northern Spotted Owl, listed as threatened in 1990, faces a number of challenges, including competition from its close relative, the Barred Owl.
The federal government and partners took up an experimental program of Barred Owl removal years ago, shooting the birds to keep them from out-competing Spotted Owls. It appears to work.
Recently published research shows Spotted Owl populations stabilized in areas where Barred Owls were killed, but Spotted Owl declines continued in areas where Barred Owls were left alone.
Damon Lesmeister and David Wiens, both biologists, visit with details of their work and their findings.