Scientists have discovered a new species of owl. The owl is named after a wildlife warden. This decision was taken to honour the person named Bikegila because of his important contribution.
This owl is named Principe Scopes. The owl was found on a small island off the coast of West Africa. That island is also called Principe. In 1998, it was speculated that this new species of an owl might live on the island.
However, scientists did not study much about it before 2016. A man named Bikegila hunted owls and used them for trade. Later, when this trade was declared illegal, then he has continued his duties as a ranger of the local natural park.
Bikegila shared his knowledge with scientists to unravel the mystery of this particular owl. Scientists say that his knowledge about this special species of owl is very rich.
Without Bikegila, scientists might not have been able to find this owl. His knowledge of owls and islands called principle scopes has greatly helped scientists. He had been searching for this particular owl since 1990 and had found it.
He has been helping scientists for many years. After a team of scientists came here in 2016, he showed them the way. Those scientists were finally able to photograph this particular owl.
Scientists are very pleased to get new information about the island and its fauna. Of course, these owls have survived in the world for a long time. The Eurasian Scops Owl and the African Scops Owl are found throughout Europe, Asia and Africa.
The island’s natural park has taken responsibility for the survival of this special species of owl. However, it is surprising to many that scientists did not know much about this owl until now.