MSU zoologist’s study reveals black magic has negatively impacted population of two owl species

Destruction of natural habitat is a widely accepted reason for the dwindling numbers of two major owl species. However, there is an unrecorded reason that has impacted the population of Eurasian Eagle Owl (better known as Great Horned Owl) and the Barn Owl—their use in black magic and sorcery.

In a recent survey, R V Devkar, an assistant professor of M S University’s Zoology Department, has found that there are periods when black art practices are high, and when that happens, more injured owls are found. The study has also raised a concern that with the unavailability of the Great Horned Owl, which is conventionally used in sorcery, the tantriks have now started using the largely found Barn Owl.

The study has found that the number of injured barn owls increases by 87 per cent in the period between January and March. Nearly 63 per cent of the rescued birds were found within three days of the New Moon. The numbers also show an increase after Diwali (specifically kalichaudas).

“I have kept track since 2006 and the pattern repeated every year. Injured barn owls found during January and March are often passed off as kite string injuries, but the nature of injury is completely different. Almost all the owls have a specific wound on the left wing, which is caused due to the deliberate and manual breakage at the humerus- radioulnar joint of the wing,” said Devkar.

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