Why wildlife managers coat raven eggs with oil to protect sage grouse
Wildlife managers are using mineral oil to coat raven eggs, preventing them from hatching to protect the vulnerable greater sage-grouse population. While effective locally, experts note that addressing the human-driven factors behind rising raven populations remains necessary.
Why it matters
This highlights the complex ecological management strategies required to balance human activity with the preservation of endangered species.
Common ravens are among the most intelligent birds in the world. Over the years, raven numbers have increased in many places because they benefit from food and nesting sites linked to human activity. According to USGS research, from 1966 to 2018, raven numbers across North America rose by about 1.5% a year, with local densities doubling in under two decades in some western regions.That rise in raven populations has created problems for several vulnerable bird species. One of them is the greater sage-grouse, a ground-nesting bird found in the sagebrush ecosystems of western North America. Ravens prey on the bird's eggs and chicks.A new study has found that egg oiling can help reduce raven reproduction and inturn help sage-grouse survive.
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