An unlikely symbol of cooperation, the barn owl brings Arab and Israeli scientists together

Athens, Greece (AP)-rises on the borders and departments of the Middle East, and the Arab and Israeli academics gathered together.

An in a unlikely collaboration symbol, Barn OWL is now receiving global attention.

Experts from 12 countries in Greece met last week to discuss an effort to help this wonderful predator, which started decades ago as an unlikely Israeli cooperation.

The mortar owl is the size of the shoe boxes is a harsh -lesions control unit that protects crops from rodents and other inconveniences.

“A pair of album from Barn is eating between 2000 and 6000 rodents every year, allowing farmers to stop using pesticides,” says Yossi Leshem, an honorary professor at the Zoology College at Tel Aviv University.

But with the elimination of modern construction techniques from the corners and the Curling that shelter to its nests, its population decreased.

Conservation initiatives aim to protect the barn owners from urban transgression by creating networks of artificial nests, and plywood boxes are usually modified, and by reducing the use of pesticides and pesticides that can poison predators.

Leshem was a pioneer in the nesting project in the early eighties on a community farm.

He says: “From 14 nesting funds in Kibbutz, it grew into a national project with 5,000 funds in Israel and partnerships in Jordan, Palestine, Cyprus and Morocco.”

In 2002, Leshem partnered with retired General Mansour Abu Rashid, to bring the boxes to Jordan.

Abu Rashid helped expand the project tracking system to Jordan, using lightweight radio transmitters to monitor birds.

“Barn Owls does not know any limits. Leshm said:” They fly between Jordan, Palestine and Israel. They symbolize cooperation. “

It is a critical area to keep birds of all kinds, sitting at the intersection of migration roads for long distances.

Arab and Israeli scientists maintained their cooperation during periods of tension and war, including the ongoing struggle in Gaza. When necessary, they turn to online meetings and talks at international conferences.

According to the conference officials, the main impact of the war on the OWL program registered so far is a large amount of destroyed lands in Lebanon, and the burning of nesting areas and boxes in areas near the Israeli border.

“We never stop.” Leshum says: “We are just continuing.” That’s why this project is successful. “

Another challenge was to overcome long myths in the area around the album.

In the region, birds are often considered a fugitive. One theory is that they are often attracted to light from homes while night standing for death.

In Jordan, the imams were recruited in rural areas to counter myths, says Abu Rashid.

“We started awareness programs in schools and universities, and the involvement of local communities. We have participated in women’s societies because they affect families and societies.” “Children colored in Burn album photos.”

Like Leshem, Abu Rashid says science provides unique opportunities to enhance cooperation, even among opponents.

Former Jordanian Military Intelligence Director and senior negotiators in Jordanian-Israel peace agreements in the mid-1990s, the retired general devoted his life after the military for peace initiatives.

“I changed my life after leaving the army, and we are still working to gather people from all over the Middle East,” he says. “I hope to succeed.”

He and Leshem, both in the late 1970s, presented the Barn Owl initiative for global leaders, including the late US President Jimmy Carter, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Pope Francis.

Swiss scientist Alexander Rollin said that the erection projects in Europe, which helps residents to recover after the nesting sites disappear in traditional barns and farm businesses.

This bird is widespread around the world. “The model we have implemented can be repeated in many other countries, including the United States and Asia,” says Rollin, a professor at the University of Lausanne.

He adds: “It is a night that is surrounded by mystery and myths, but it is wonderful.” It is one of the only night predators that are white. Why white? Research indicates that their white feathers reflect the moonlight, which creates a tight appearance that surprises the prey. “

The album in Barin also enjoys near the surrounding vision, as it wanders in its heads to 270 degrees, much exceeding 170 degrees for humans. They add their strange screams, unlike the gentle screaming of the other owls, to its reputation as huge predators.

The conference in Greece, which ended on Friday, was the third of its kind since 2018, when the participants came from only four countries. This year, among the new attendees, Germany, Georgia and Ukraine. The organizers hope to welcome delegations from dozens of countries at the meeting next year in Geneva, Switzerland.

The attendees at the conference, who also traveled to the agricultural areas in central Greece, exchanged knowledge about a variety of topics, including “soft release” methods to adapt animal -linked album to natural conditions.

Vasileios Bontzorlos, who headed the Greek Environmental Group Tyto and hosted the conference, said that attention is growing across countries.

“Agricultural officials have become more open to natural solutions. Pontzorlos says:” This is a great milestone for us. “

He says: “For years, I visited Israel, Jordan and Palestine and sat at the same table with people of all its three nationalities.” “Hosting these discussions in Greece gives me hope. While we often hear bad news, indicates that cooperation is possible, even in difficult circumstances. It is moving incredible.” ____

Lefteris Pitarakis, Petros Giannakouris contributed to Larissa, Greece and Thanassis Stavrakis in Athens.