Author: MATTHEW BROWN / AP

T U.S. wildlife officials are taking drastic measures to save the endangered spotted owl by deploying trained shooters to eliminate almost half a million barred owls that are threatening their habitat. The plan, released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, aims to protect declining spotted owl populations in Oregon, Washington, and California by culling the invasive barred owls. These larger birds have outcompeted their smaller cousins for resources, leading to a rapid decline in spotted owl numbers. The contentious strategy of using lethal force to control the barred owl population has divided wildlife advocates, with some supporting the plan…