Let's chat — they're really cute!
Two newly hatched snowy owls are the newest residents of an Ohio zoo, and their arrival is endangered. It marks an important milestone in species conservation.
The Akron Zoo announced that the downy baby birds emerged from their shells on July 31 and he said on August 3.
"Both are doing well and being cared for by their parents Frost and Cirrus in snowy owl habitat," the zoo said on Wednesday in his Facebook post.
"Barricades have been erected in front of the habitat to allow some privacy as our new family adjusts to a family of four.
The sex of the baby birds was unknown, as the zoo stated that the pair would be "hands off" for the time being.
The Akron Zoo is a member of the Snowy Owl Species Survival Program, which aims to "ensure the genetic diversity of the species across zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums," according to the zoo. A spokesperson said. His WKYC 3 studio in Cleveland.
"Our female girlfriend Cirrus was injured in her native habitat, rehabilitated, but re-released due to injury. We couldn't," the spokesperson said.
"Her genetics are therefore not represented at all in zoos and these owls are very important to the snowy owl population!"
The snowy owl is the largest owl in the world. , with a body length of 20 to 28 inches and a wingspan of 54 to 66 inches.
According to the Audubon Society, they live in the high Arctic tundra, where their white coloration camouflages predators during the winter.
2017, Conservation International The coalition ranked the bird as "endangered" on its Red List of Threatened Species, and a Swiss-based organization said the adult population had fallen from 200,000 in 2013. decreased to just 28,000.
According to the IUCN, climate change impacts on snowmelt will reduce prey for lemmings and other rodents, one of the threats facing snowy owls.
The current population estimate for adult snowy owls is low at 14,000, and further declines could result in the species being declared 'endangered'.
Last year, a snowy owl made an appearance in Manhattan's Central Parkto delight bird lovers for the first time since December 1890.
