Canada rejects request to protect northern spotted owl habitat

One wild-born owl remains in British Columbia, where logging concerns have destroyed the species's old-growth forest home

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Canadian cabinet ministers have rejected a plea by the country's environment minister to save an endangered owl, casting doubt on the species' survival in the coming years.

The Wilderness Committee environmental advocacy group announced on Wednesday that federal ministers had rejected a request for an emergency order to protect the northern spotted owl - a request submitted by environment minister Steven Guilbeault.