Why are officials planning to kill 450,000 barred owls in US?

Wildlife officials in the US are planning to kill nearly 450,000 barred owls to save the spotted owl population from potential extinction. The barred owls encroached into the West Coast territory of their spotted cousins, which have been unable to compete with the invader. Barred owls would be lured and then shot with shotguns. Carcasses would be buried on site.