Propagation of Barn Owls in an Oil Palm Plantation of Sabah: FGV's Experiences

Abstract

An introduction programme of Barn Owl, Tyto Alba Javanica to a new location in Sabah, Borneo Malaysia is part of the effort to restore natural mechanisms for lowering rat population and reducing Rodenticide application in Oil Palm Plantations. Identification of the period of the breeding season and owl sexing helped in the process of translocation. A number of documents have to be in order before the owls are allowed into Sabah from their original home in Pahang. These include a permit to bring in exotic animals issued by the Sabah Wildlife Department and the import/export license from the Department of Veterinary Services, of both states i.e. Sabah and Pahang. In Sabah, 20 individual Barn Owls were placed in an aviary for the acclimatization process. Only 16 of the Barn owls survived the transportation and were released into the field after six months of captivity in the aviary. Subsequently wooden boxes were established at a ratio of one box per 20 ha and in areas that have been established to boast of sufficient Prey. These were designated as Rodenticide free areas to ensure foraging habitat and prey is not contaminated with Rodenticides which may have some detrimental effects on the owls. Twenty months after being released, the owl population has grown to 638%. This is a huge success since the barn owl has been identified as a part of the integrated pest management (IPM) indicator that supported major compliance in certification of RSPO.