Zombie Apocalypse: Federal Government Denies Existence Of…
Passenger Plane Crashes Into Building
(Nov. 3) -- India's environment minister says that Harry Potter mania is a threat to the country's owls.
Fans of J.K. Rowling's young wizard and his owl Hedwig have been buying endangered owls from illegal bird traders.
"Following Harry Potter, there seems to be a strange fascination even among the urban middle classes for presenting their children with owls," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said, according to BBC News.
Ramesh was speaking at the unveiling of a report that said nearly half of India's 30 species of owls can be found on sale at markets. People buy them for their Harry Potter appeal, for medicinal use and for sacrifice in some Hindu festivals.
In the Harry Potter novels, wizards use owls as a form of communication, dispatching the birds to carry important messages. Harry received Hedwig as a gift just before entering the wizarding school Hogwarts.
The owl report's author, Abrar Ahmed, decided to write it after a friend asked him to procure a live owl with white feathers for her son's Harry Potter-themed 10th birthday party.
"This was probably one of the strangest demands made to me as an ornithologist," he wrote.
India Says Harry Potter Mania Hurting Country's Owls
Nov 3, 2010 – 3:26 PM
Tiger Woods Surges To Win Memorial
11th-Hour Wisconsin Poll Shows Walker With Slim Lead
Peter S. Goodman: Bleeding Cash Conservatives: Moral Principle Trumps Rational Pragmatism
Romney Economic Adviser Channels Obama On Taxes
Suicide Bomber Strikes Iraqi Capital
A Horrified Fox News Producer, And Initials Carved In An Iowa Motel
Giffords Making Public Appearance
George Zimmerman In Police Custody
Wisconsin Recalls: Quirk In Election Law Could Throw Governance Into Disarray
Louisiana's Bold Bid To Privatize Public Schools
Pelosi On Clinton 2016 Bid: 'Why Wouldn't She Run?'
Former 'Family Feud' Host Dies At 79
Alleged Murderer Cut Estranged Wife, Daughters' Throats, Police Say
GOP Spokesman Who Made Acid-Hurling Remarks: I'm Sorry
Mormon Allies Walk In Utah Gay Pride
WATCH: Bob McDonnell Gives Obama Some Credit For Virginia's Economy
Struggles To Fight Potential Animal Diseases Spread By Bioterrorists
Paul Krugman: Paul Ryan's Budget Plan Is 'A Fraud'
Robots Making Presence Felt At China's Factories
Driver Saves Bus Passengers In Freak Accident
After Recalculations, Surprise State Had Hottest Summer Ever
