As Diwali celebrations peak in India, so does the number of owls illegally trapped and sacrificed for tantric rituals and ceremonies during the festive season. While the exact number of owls traded domestically is unknown, estimates place the figure in thousands throughout the country.
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, has issued an advisory to enforcement agencies calling for increased efforts to help curb trafficking and sacrifice of owls. The advisory follows TRAFFIC’s investigations into illegal owl trade in India, published in the report ‘Imperilled Custodians of the Night’. The report stated that owls are used and traded for a wide variety of purposes, including black magic, street performances, taxidermy, private aviaries/ zoos, food, folk medicines and capturing other birds.
Occult practitioners drive consumer demand by touting use of owl parts for purposes ranging from curing various illnesses to fighting the effects of evil spirits. The birds are poached for their bones, talons, skull, feathers, meat and blood, which are then used as talismans, for black magic and in traditional medicine. Owls, especially those with “ears” (tufts), are thought to possess the “greatest magical powers” and Diwali is claimed to be the most auspicious time for sacrificing an owl.
Of 30 species of owls found in India, 15 are traded illegally. The spotted owlet ( Athene brama ), barn owl ( Tyto alba ) and rock eagle-owl ( Bubo bengalensis ) are the most commonly recorded species in the illegal trade.
Saket Badola, head, TRAFFIC India, said, “The advisory is a strong reminder against rampant trade and sacrifice of owls in India. We urge enforcement agencies to strengthen wildlife laws and enforcement efforts around owl habitats, forest areas and bird trade markets. Since sacrifice of owls begins with the onset of Dussehra and continues till Diwali, poachers involved in bird trade are most active during this season. This is one of the most important times for enforcement agencies to remain alert and increase vigilance.”
Owls are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, which prohibits hunting, trade or any other form of utilisation of the species or their body parts. Their international trade is restricted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
