Photo by Bill Neitro

Crater Lake National Park is home to many interesting animals, including the controversial northern spotted owl. This medium-sized owl is distinguished by large brown eyes and mottled brown and white breast feathers. Its home is old growth coniferous forests. Crater Lake N.P. is at the southern end of the owl's range and contains the highest elevation owl site ever found in the state of Oregon.

Before 1992, spotted owls were seen in the park but were not studied effectively. A comprehensive survey of spotted owls at Crater Lake N.P. began in May 1992. The relatively high number of owls found was unexpected. At the end of the field season, a total of 29 owls had been documented. Of the 60,000 acres of spotted owl habitat in the park, less than 30% was surveyed. We learned that the park holds great significance for spotted owl recovery. In 1993, our goal is to survey 100% of the spotted owl habitat in the park.

The controversy involving the spotted owl is centered on its habitat; old growth coniferous forests. The trees in these forests are very valuable as timber. The spotted owl is an "indicator species". This means that if a certain animal (or plant) population is in trouble there may be a bigger problem in the ecosystem as a whole. Think of the indicator lights in your car. When the light comes on you know something is wrong. The light "indicates" a problem, but it may already be too late to solve, especially if it is the oil pressure light. Irreversible damage has been done and this may be the situation with spotted owls.

Old growth forests need to be preserved for more than just the spotted owl. Fortunately, the forests of Crater Lake NP are preserved for all time. There are a large variety of specialized plants and animals living in this habitat that should be allowed to continue living. Less than 10% of the original old growth in the U.S. still stands, telling us that time is running out. The spotted owl is only one piece of the puzzle, but can you enjoy a beautiful puzzle with a piece missing?