European Eagle-owl
Eurasian Eagle-owl occurs in Europe and Asia. The population is decreasing. The major threats are habitat destruction, pollution, poisoning as well as virus disease that affects prey populations (myxomatosis in rabbits).
Conservation
■ Listed in Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, or Washington Convention).
■ Listed in Appendix II of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats as a strictly protected fauna species.
■ Listed in Annex I of EU Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the Conservation of wild birds (the Birds Directive).
■ An especially protected species in Latvia (the Cabinet of Ministers’ Regulations No. 396 on November 14, 2000).
Read about Riga Zoo’s Eagle Owl release pilot project:
Taxonomy
■ Phylum Chordata – chordates
■ Class Aves – birds
■ Order Strigiformes – owls
■ Family Strigidae – typical owls
■ Species Bubo bubo – Eurasian Eagle-owl
■ Subspecies Bubo bubo bubo – European Eagle-owl