Harry Potter's owl, included on the UN list of species conservation

At the end of the 15th meeting of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (COP15) in Brazil, 40 migratory species, including the snowy owl (Hedwig from Harry Potter) and the giant Brazilian otter, have been included in the list of those protected internationally. This measure comes in response to the alarming decline of populations, with nearly 49% of the species listed by the convention facing a decrease in numbers. Climate change, habitat degradation, and pollution are the main threats. The convention imposes legal obligations on signatory countries for the protection, conservation, and restoration of the habitats of these species.

The president of COP15, Joao Paulo Capobianco, highlighted significant progress in the protection of migratory species, emphasizing the importance of concerted actions for conservation. The next meeting will take place in 2029 in Germany, marking 50 years since the adoption of the convention.