The spotted owl was placed on Canada’s endangered wildlife list in 1986. They are believed to be dependent on forests older than 120 years and due to logging of its habitat, it has become one of Canada’s most endangered birds.
Early in 2001, a provincial environmental biologist came to our offices to report that logging had begun in Siwash Creek Valley, north of Hope even though there was a female spotted owl was in residence. One of our staff scientist travelled to the Siwash Creek Valley, and videotaped a female spotted owl roosting.
On behalf of the Western Canadian Wilderness Committee we filed for an injunction. On June 26, 2001, the BC Supreme Court ordered that logging in the Siwash area halt immediately (Western Canada Wilderness Committee v Kennah et al, 2001 BCSC 1840). This was the first time in Canadian history that an injunction had been granted to protect endangered species habitat.