This owl, which appears in Harry Potter and is famous for the character 'Hedwig', is actually a snowy owl. As its name suggests, it has a white appearance resembling snow and evokes a sense of mystery. However, this snowy owl is actually an endangered species.

The snowy owl is listed as 'Vulnerable' (VU) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This means that it is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild within a few months or years. The current global population of snowy owls is estimated to be around 20,000. In 2013, there were 200,000 individuals, but in the past 10 years, 90% of them have disappeared.

Snowy owls inhabit the Arctic region. As we all know, the Arctic is an area that is rapidly melting due to climate change. The snowy owl's white body color is also a result of the Arctic environment. As the Arctic melts, a brown variant of the snowy owl is also emerging.

In 2023, a snowy owl, which should be in the Arctic, was spotted in California, USA. This was almost the first time a snowy owl was spotted in the southern United States in nearly 100 years. Snowy owls are naturally migratory birds that can fly long distances, sometimes reaching the American Midwest in search of food. However, finding them in the southern United States is rare.

Experts say that the snowy owl found in the southern United States likely hitched a ride on a cargo ship and settled there due to abundant food. It's common for birds to hitch rides on cargo ships to travel long distances. However, there is also speculation that climate change has reduced food in the areas where snowy owls originally searched for food, causing them to migrate south. Given the severity of climate change, this is a plausible hypothesis.

As snowy owls become more frequent visitors to human-populated areas in search of food, they are at a higher risk of accidents. They could collide with power lines, buildings, or even oncoming vehicles. The IUCN cites accidents involving railroads, power lines, runways, etc., as one of the reasons for the snowy owl's endangered status.

The Owl Research Institute is working hard to protect the endangered snowy owl for a variety of reasons. They are continuously researching owls to understand what threats they face and how to protect them. They also publish materials raising awareness about the endangered status of the snowy owl and its seriousness, and conduct fundraising activities. We hope that with the collective efforts of organizations like the Owl Research Institute and the international community, we can hear news of an increase in the snowy owl population this year.