The Powerful Owl

[Natalie Zumpe <>]

Deakin discussions - Free talks exploring and informing community and
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The Powerful Owl: An Urban Survivor 
Presented by Dr Raylene Cook 
Tuesday 6 July, 7pm.
Room LT12, Deakin University Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Hwy. (Free
Parking)

The Powerful Owl is Australia?s largest owl. Traditionally perceived as
confined to old-growth, low disturbance forests, these owls can
occasionally be found in urban areas. Population estimates for the
species are less than 500 pairs across the State of Victoria so having
these owls appearing in the urban areas is important. Being a nocturnal
predator, their preferred prey in urban areas of Melbourne is the Common
Ringtail Possum and the Common Brushtail Possum. A family of Powerful
Owls consumes 250-300 possums each year.

While it is exciting to find Powerful Owls in highly urban areas, there
is no evidence that they are breeding in the city. This may be due to the
loss of large old eucalypt trees with suitable breeding hollows.
Unfortunately these owls cannot breed without a suitable tree hollow and
with the continued removal of old habitat trees the prospects of
successful breeding does not look good.

Current research aims to determine where these owls have come from and
will examine whether they are the offspring of Powerful Owls that have
been breeding in Melbourne?s urban fringe areas for some years. DNA
analysis of the owls? feathers will provide the key to the genetic makeup
of these Powerful Owls and will point to their origins.
For further information contact:

Ms Natalie Zumpe, Community Relations
Telephone 5227 8555 Email:

Natalie Zumpe, External Relations Unit, Marketing Division
+Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia, 3217
(Phone: 03 5227 8555 International +61 3 5227 8555
(Fax: 03 5227 8527 International +61 3 5227 8527
:Email:
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