- Twenty-three referred to as the Wild Goose, here.
The population of Tawny Owls in Northern Bavaria is expanding. 23 owls have been freed in the wild, as mentioned by the Association for Landscape Conservation and Species Protection in Bavaria (VLAB) based in Erbendorf (Tirschenreuth district). These young birds are being acclimated to the forests of the Upper Palatinate and Upper Franconia. Approximately 100 Tawny Owls have been set free since the initiation of the reintroduction project in 2017.
These Tawny Owls hail from breeding programs in zoos and wildlife parks in France and Germany. VLAB chairman Johannes Bradtka is satisfied with the development of a wide network over the years. This is to foster genetic diversity within the population. DNA testing is an essential aspect, which has been conducted for each of the newly released Tawny Owls.
This helps to consistently track and broaden the genetic pool of the population to avoid inbreeding, explains project leader Michaela Domeyer. "Genetic diversity is a vital factor for any species' long-term survival. With DNA testing, we can now specifically focus on preserving the Tawny Owl population's health and reducing its risk of extinction."
GPS trackers have been used this year. Nine owls were fitted with small GPS-GSM tracking devices. These lightweight devices (26 grams each) were attached to the owls' hips by a vet without affecting their flight behavior or movements. After about a year, the bands will dissolve, and the transmitters will fall off. Until then, information about the owls' migration patterns will be gathered.
"Telemetry is a significant step forward for our project, providing insights into the Tawny Owl's life after release. We're excited to see the initial results," says Bradtka. The transmitters can be retrieved and reused after they fall off.
Before their release, the owls were kept in aviaries, allowing them to adapt to their new forest environment. They were still fed during this period. As Bradtka remembers, towards the end, the owls were eager to leave. "They couldn't wait." The mortality rate of the released Tawny Owls ranges between 40 and 50 percent. The most common cause of death is road accidents, such as collisions with trucks or cars.
The association has installed around 220 nesting boxes in the forests of the Fichtel Mountains, Hessenreuth, and Upper Palatinate forests, the Steinwald, the Grafenwöhr training area, and across the border into the Czech Republic's Bohemian Forest.
The Tawny Owl is the largest and one of the rarest owls in Central Europe. It is approximately 60 centimeters tall, has a wingspan of 125 centimeters, and can live up to 20 years. The Tawny Owl once went extinct in Germany. Around 100 years ago, the last known individual was shot in the Bavarian-Czech border region.
The Tawny Owl reintroduction project in Northeastern Bavaria began in 2017. The project is financially backed, in part, by the Heinz Sielmann Foundation.
Other zoos and wildlife parks in Europe are also contributing owls to the breeding program, expanding the genetic diversity further. The data collected from GPS tracking can help identify potential hazards for the Tawny Owls and aid in developing protective measures.
