Elusive dusky eagle owl sighted near Corbett Tiger Reserve after 15 years

Key facts

• A pair of dusky eagle owls was documented in the Phato tourism zone of Terai West forest division adjacent to Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand.
• The species was last officially recorded in the region in 2010.
• Naturalist Himanshu Tiruva photographed the rare pair, and the images have gone viral among ornithologists and wildlife enthusiasts.
• Dr. Saket Badola, Chief Conservator of Forests (Kumaon), stated that the reappearance of the species reflects reduced human interference and successful habitat management.
• Birding expert Pradeep Saxena noted that the presence of apex avian predators like the dusky eagle owl indicates a healthy prey base and undisturbed nesting sites.
• The dusky eagle owl, 48–58 cm long and partly diurnal, favours old-growth forest near water, matching Phato’s dense canopy and streams.