By: Shriya Swaminathan
Owls are majestic birds of prey and remarkable intelligence. They are solitary creatures who prefer to hunt solo and live free from the cacophony of human entertainment. Imagine these free-spirited birds being chained, forced to take photos with large crowds, exposed to loud music, bright lights, and displayed as amusement for people in tiny cages with barely any room to spread their magnificent wings! This captivity is a recipe for destructive behaviors, stress, and a miserable life.
Thankfully, this will no longer be the reality for the owls at Warner Bros.’ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Owing to the tireless, diligent efforts of Protego Foundation– a Harry Potter-themed animal-rights group, Warner Bros. announced that all licensed Harry Potter live productions in Universal Parks & Resorts locations, including Osaka, Japan and an upcoming park in Beijing, will no longer feature live owls.
Founder Tylor Starr is overjoyed with this victory and states– “The Protego Foundation is so thankful to Warner Bros. and the Harry Potter Global Franchise Development team for honoring Hedwig, Errol, and other beloved owls by implementing such a kind policy to help other sensitive owls like them.”
In a heartfelt gesture of gratitude, the Protego Foundation is sending Warner Bros. a box of owl-shaped vegan chocolates to thank them for committing to respect these magical beings.
Protego Foundation is working on an online resource to record the exploitation of owls for entertainment. On March 31st, the website will also feature a section where the use of live owls for entertainment can be reported. We admire the dedication of the entire Protego Foundation team in ensuring that we recognize and celebrate the inherent magic of all sentient beings!
Image Sources: Protego Foundation, POPSUGAR, Universal Studios, National Geographic Kids
