Harry Potter owl among animals granted UN international protection

The U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals approved new international protections for several animal species on Sunday, including the Eurasian eagle-owl—the species used to portray Harry Potter's owl Hedwig in the film franchise. The convention, which binds more than 130 countries to wildlife conservation commitments, added these species to its protected list, requiring member nations to implement safeguards against poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal trade. The Eurasian eagle-owl's inclusion reflects growing concerns about declining populations driven by persecution from farmers and loss of woodland habitat across Europe and Asia. The protections are expected to strengthen enforcement of existing bans on capture and trade, though implementation varies by country.