Conservationists get their talons out for Japan's owl cafes

'Lucky' owls are the latest animal to join Japan's growing list of themed pet cafes but welfare groups are calling for the practice to stop

Several owl species sit tied to a makeshift wooden perch as a TV plays a loud, animated owl-themed film behind them in the dimly lit room.

This is Tokyo's Forest of Owl cafe, filled with locals and snap-happy tourists even on a weekday morning, and as the countdown to 2017 begins, its resident owls will be petted and photographed by more Japanese customers than usual as people seek good fortune for the New Year.