The recent sighting of the forest owlet, a critically endangered bird according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list at Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS), has increased the number of birdwatchers going there. But some birdwatchers who visited the sanctuary last week feel that there is a threat to this rare bird and others from a few tribals who are allegedly killing them using slingshots. The bird lovers feel the forest department should increase patrolling to protect the birds.

The forest owlet has been seen in the Satpura range in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh