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Harry Potter Blamed For India's Disappearing Owls

Posted by samzenpus on from the even-muggles-want-one dept.

GillBates0 writes "Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has blamed fans of Harry Potter for the demise of wild owls in the country as children seek to emulate the boy wizard by taking the birds as pets. 'Following Harry Potter, there seems to be a strange fascination even among the urban middle classes for presenting their children with owls,' Ramesh said Wednesday, according to comments reported by the BBC."

4 of 252 comments (clear)

  1. Ah by Reilaos · · Score: 2, Informative

    But is anything to blame for Slashdot's disappearing comments?

  2. Stupid title by _merlin · · Score: 2, Informative

    They aren't blaming the fictional Harry Potter for the demise of the owls - they're blaming fanbois. I'm sure everyone here on Slashdot can empathise with blaming ills on fanbois.

  3. Re:Easy fix by cnaumann · · Score: 4, Informative

    Possums are one of the few wild mammals that really don't carry rabies. Being slashdot I felt obligated to point that out.

  4. Yes by fantomas · · Score: 3, Informative

    Yes. "Hunting of and trade in all Indian owl species is banned under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972."