The article discusses the discovery of the remains of two male northern spotted owls that were released into a British Columbia forest last year. This finding may bring down the known wild population of the species in the province to just one female. Nathan Cullen, minister of water, land, and resource stewardship, said that the cause of the released birds’ deaths is unknown but could include physical injury, predation, disease, or starvation. Spuzzum First Nation Chief James Hobart described the deaths as “devastating,” and efforts will be made to determine what could have been done differently. Despite the unfortunate event, Jasmine McCulligh, facility coordinator for the Northern Spotted Owl Breeding Program, remained committed to the breeding and release program. The government and its partners were said to be doing everything they could to help spotted owls recover and support the world’s only captive breeding and release program. The protection of spotted owls has fueled long-standing disputes between environmental groups and the forest industry, as their future is often tied to saving old-growth forests where these birds reside. Last year, the Ministry of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship hailed the release of the male trio as a “historic milestone,” crediting the partnership between the breeding program and the Spuzzum First Nation.