Owls are very useful to humans as they mainly feed on rodents. For example, one owl family can eat almost 10.000 rodents per year. These rodents may consume the amount of food which is enough to feed two cows.

The biggest problem with owl survival in Serbia is loss of natural habitat, followed by road mortality and uncontrolled use of pesticides. Unfortunately, some people are disturbing and killing owls due to superstition. Undergoing changes in the environment do not favour the owls and their trends in Serbia are negative. Therefore all owl species are strictly protected under Serbian law as Natural Rarities.

The Biology Student Science and Research Society “Josif Pančić” in cooperation with the Knjaz Miloš Company and their brand Guarana is organising the Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) Winter Roost Census in Serbia. The aim of this Project is to locate winter roosts and to count owls in them. Long-eared Owls mainly gather in coniferous trees, beside buidings and close to humans.

By supporting this Project the Guarana brand is directly helping the conservation and research of one of the endangered animal species in Serbia. Knowing the Long-eared Owl locations, numbers, trends and threats will help us to determine the future measures for their conservation and management. By working with and for people in Serbia we will raise their awareness for all owls species.