Taiwan’s unique indigenous grass owl subspecies is one of six subspecies in East Asia, with populations in the lower reaches of the mountains of southern Taiwan, the office said. An eastern grass owl and its chicks are pictured in their nest in Pingtung County on Saturday. Conservation efforts are complicated by a lack of data on the elusive nocturnal bird and little public awareness of the owl’s conservation status, it said. The bureau in 2018 listed the owl as a subspecies of concern in the short and medium term, it said. The bureau’s branch offices in southern Taiwan should strengthen partnerships with researchers and conservation groups to protect the owl, it said.

Source: Taipei Times July 25, 2021 15:56 UTC