Shelley’s eagle owl spotted for the first time in 150 years
Recommended for Foundational Grades
On 16 October, scientists spotted a Shelley’s eagle owl in Ghana’s Atewa forest in Africa and managed to take photos. But why is this amazing?
Shelley’s eagle owls are the largest owls that live in Africa’s rainforests. But it has not been photographed even once in the wild since scientists discovered it 150 years ago. Of course, that is, until now!
Dr Joseph Tobias of Imperial College London along with another scientist were in the Atewa forest when they spotted the bird. While they managed to see it only for 10 to 15 seconds, they managed to take photographs, which were enough to confirm its identity.
The Shelley’s eagle owl was first discovered by western scientists in 1872. Since then, it has rarely been seen in the wild.
There are very few bad-quality photos of the bird in existence. One is a photo of a Shelley’s eagle owl taken at a zoo in Antwerp, Belgium in 1975. There is also another very unclear photo that someone took in Congo in 2005.
The Shelley’s eagle owl
It is huge and can grow to be around two feet. It has black eyes and a yellow bill. Wildlife experts believe that its population is less and getting even lesser. Moreover, people are cutting down the trees in the forest where it lives.
So, scientists hope that this new photo will bring attention to the Atewa forest as well as the bird itself.
DISCOVERY: There have been no confirmed sightings of Shelley’s Eagle Owl since the 1870s. 🦉
This all changed when scientists visited Atewa forest in #Ghana and disturbed the #Owl from its daytime roost.
See the first photo captured after 150 years 👇https://t.co/jeqsX1UN8o
— Imperial College (@imperialcollege) October 22, 2021
There are so many interesting and exciting things happening in the world today. To keep yourself updated do not miss out on reading Curious Times – a news website for children. We are also delighted to publish what children send to us in My Expressions. These could be art and creative projects, and also books, games or movie reviews. All the great content from the kids finds its way to our Newspaper Curious Times Weekly and The Curious Magazine. You can also reach out to us on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook. Youtube, Twitter, Linked In, Or write to us at hello@curioustimes.in.
0 (Please login to give a Curious Clap to your friend.)