Occult practices drive illegal trapping and trade in owls during Diwali
Birds are poached for their bones, talons, skulls, feathers, meat and blood, which are then used in talismans, black magic, and traditional medicine
New Delhi: As Diwali celebrations peak in India, so does the numbers of owls that are illegally trapped and sacrificed to supply tantric rituals and ceremonies during the festival of lights. While the exact number of owls traded domestically is unknown, estimates place the figure in thousands of individuals throughout the country. TRAFFIC has issued an ‘Advisory’ to enforcement agencies calling for increased efforts to help curb the trafficking and sacrifice of owls casting a shadow over the future of the species in India.
The Advisory document follows TRAFFIC’s investigations into illegal owl trade in India, published in the report “Imperilled Custodians of the Night”. According to the report, owls are used and traded for a wide variety of purposes including for black magic, street performances, taxidermy, private aviaries/zoos, food, use in folk medicines, capturing other birds, use of claws and feathers in making headgear, and eggs used in gambling.
Illegal trapping and trade peaks around the Diwali festival month, especially in Northern India. Occult practitioners drive consumer demand by touting the use of owl parts for purposes ranging from curing various illnesses to fighting the effects of evil spirits. Birds are poached for their bones, talons, skulls, feathers, meat and blood, which are then used in talismans, black magic, and traditional medicine. Owls, especially with “ears” (or tufts) are thought to possess greatest magical powers, and Diwali is claimed to be the most auspicious time for making owl sacrifices.
Of the 30 species of owls found in India, 15 have been found in illegal wildlife trade with Spotted Owlet Athene brama, Barn Owl Tyto alba and Rock Eagle-Owl Bubo bengalensis found to be the most commonly recorded species in trade.
Dr Saket Badola, IFS, Head of TRAFFIC India said, “TRAFFIC’s advisory is a strong reminder of rampant trade and sacrifice of owls in India. We urge enforcement agencies to strengthen wildlife law enforcement efforts around owl habitats, forest areas, and bird trade markets”.
“As the practice of owl sacrificing begins with the start of the Dussehra festival, moving onto Diwali, poachers involved within the bird trade are most active during this season. This is one of the most important times for enforcement agencies to remain alert and increase their vigilance,” Dr Badola further added.
Owls in India are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India that prohibits hunting, trade or any other form of utitlisation of the species or their body parts. Their international trade is further restricted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Owls play a vital role in local ecosystems, not least by benefitting farmers by preying on small rodents and other crop pests, making their ongoing protection of high ecological, economic, and social importance.
For queries
Dr Saket Badola, Head of TRAFFIC’s India office at sbadola@wwfindia.net / +91 9720007663
Dilpreet B. Chhabra, Senior Manager-Communications, TRAFFIC India at dilpreet.chhabra@traffic.org / 09899000472
About TRAFFIC
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, is a leading non-governmental organisation working globally on trade in wild animals and plants in the context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. TRAFFIC works closely with its founding organisations, IUCN and WWF. TRAFFIC in India operates as a programme division of WWF–India, the largest conservation organisation in India. More: www.traffic.org; www.trafficindia.org
