Harry Potter Cursed Indonesia's Owls

[Vanhelsing]

The number of owls traded illegally on Indonesian markets has risen sharply in the past two decades — and researchers think the popularity of the Harry Potter books and films may be fuelling the trend

Wildlife researchers surveyed 20 bird markets on the islands of Bali and Java and say that the number of owls being sold has risen dramatically: from perhaps a few hundred a year before 2001 to 13,000 by 2016.

Owls are called Burung Hantu in Malay, one of Indonesia's main languages, but are now colloquially known as Burung Harry Potter, meaning 'Harry Potter' birds, he says.

Richard Thomas from the UK-based network Traffic, which monitors wildlife trade, says that the issue is complex and it’s “not possible to say unequivocally” that the cause is Harry Potter. However, a 2015 report from Traffic on Indonesia’s bird markets also noted the jump in owl sales, and suggested that the rise in demand could be down to the popularity of the fictional character. In 201

https://www.nature.com/news/has-harry-potter-mania-cursed-indonesia-s-owls-1.22198

 

[Asun]

Harry Potter has come and gone, I think. The generation that first read The Sorcerer's Stone in their teens are now in their 30's.

 

[vocalneal]