Authorities in India are blaming dwindling populations of wild owls, at least in part, on the fabulously popular Harry Potter books and films. Owls play an important role in the Harry Potter franchise, serving as companions and messengers for the wizarding world. (Check out this great post about all the owls of the Harry Potter universe.) Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said there’s been a significant increase in demand for birds as pets since the franchise exploded across the globe.
But TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, says in a new report that the use of wild owls in “black magic” rites plays a larger role. Owls are illegally trapped for use as animal sacrifices, or used in folk medicine or street performances.
It’s far better to symbolically adopt an owl from an organization that supports owls in the wild, says blogger Eve Conte (also known as Empress Eve) of “Geeks of Doom”:
I happen to love owls and every year I adopt a Snowy Owl from Defenders of Wildlife, an organization dedicated to help protect the species out in the wild. If a child really loves owls now thanks to Harry Potter, then the best thing a parent can do is donate to a wildlife fund dedicated to protecting owls — NOT take the owls from their natural environment and keep them as a pet.
Here at Defenders, we agree!
Give a Gift that Helps Save Owls
Owl adoptions are a great way to share your appreciation for these majestic birds while helping to support Defenders’ work on their behalf.
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Visit our Wildlife Adoption Center to adopt an owl or one of our other 26 imperiled animals today!
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why is black magic brought into this? it is not the magic that is wrong but the intention. contrary to popular belief, witches do not normally do animal sacrifice for anything.
this is such a fallacy. wiccans do not do this (1 of many witchy pagan paths).
the owl is seen as a great partner for many. Free. those who might trap it to have as a “pet” are uninforrmed playtime witches. older witches and more read witches and sincere witches realise that no one can own aother life. even animal. That it is a partnership and that it has to be free to come and go in most cases.
I am afraid that all this article might end up doing is again slander witches on an issue that they are champions FOR not against. many pagans and heathens and witches (the first two do believe in God and Goddess or some form of God, and the third can and many do) We work to support the earth and her residents, all residents. we do not practice bondage of other life.
black magic is more the outcome of satanism which is part of christianity not the world of magic. Please share this along with the plight of the owl.
they are wonderful seers. wonderful examples of the circle of life, and how life can be loving but also brutal. They bring wisdom.
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