Animal rights groups claim feds used faulty data to permit barred owl removal

Animal rights organizations are questioning the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to allow the removal of barred owls from the habitat of the threatened northern spotted owl, alleging misuse of flawed data. They argue that the permit was issued in violation of federal environmental laws, which could jeopardize the conservation efforts for the already endangered northern spotted owl species. This move has sparked significant debate over the balance between species conservation and the use of scientific data in decision-making processes.