A rare sighting of the endangered Forest Owlet (Blewitt’s Owl) has been recorded in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. This is the first confirmed record of the species from Kuno, marking an important development for biodiversity conservation in the region.
The species is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Endangered Forest Owlet (Blewitt’s Owl)
| Aspect | Details |
| Species | Forest Owlet (Blewitt’s Owl) |
| Scientific name | Athene blewitti |
| Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN Red List) |
| Location of sighting | Parond Beat, Kuno National Park |
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| Confirmation | Vivek Patel (Wildlife Research and Conservation Society, Pune) |
The owl was first spotted by local tourism operator Labh Yadav, who informed forest officials due to its rarity.
Discovery and Rediscovery History
| Year | Event |
| 1872 | First discovered by Irish naturalist F. R. Blewitt |
| 1884 | Last historical sighting; species presumed extinct |
| 1997 | Rediscovered in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra |
| 2026 | First confirmed sighting in Kuno National Park |
The rediscovery in 1997 after 113 years shocked the global ornithological community.
Distribution in India
The Forest Owlet is endemic to central India and survives in fragmented forest patches.
Known Locations
| State | Locations |
| Madhya Pradesh | Khandwa, Burhanpur, Betul |
| Maharashtra | Toranmal, Melghat |
| Gujarat | Dang, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary |
The new record from Kuno National Park (Sheopur district) expands its known distribution.
Population Status
| Indicator | Estimate |
| Global adult population | ~250–999 individuals |
| Distribution | Fragmented forests of Central India |
| Major threat | Habitat loss |
Unique Behaviour of Forest Owlet
Unlike most owls, the Forest Owlet is diurnal (active during the day).
| Feature | Description |
| Activity period | Mainly 6 AM – 10 AM |
| Hunting style | Perches on tree branches and hunts during daylight |
| Habitat | Dry deciduous forests |
Most owl species are nocturnal, making this behaviour unique.
Ecological Significance
The sighting has major ecological implications for Kuno National Park, especially in the context of Project Cheetah.
Importance
- Indicates healthy forest habitat
- Suggests ecosystem recovery
- Highlights improved biodiversity in Kuno landscape
Kuno is already known for hosting African cheetahs, and this new sighting strengthens its reputation as an important biodiversity hotspot.
Kuno National Park
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh |
| Known for | Cheetah reintroduction under Project Cheetah |
| Habitat type | Dry deciduous forest |
| Key fauna | Cheetah, leopard, wolf, sloth bear |
Why This Sighting Matters
- Expands known distribution of the endangered Forest Owlet.
- Indicates improved ecological conditions in Kuno landscape.
- Demonstrates positive spillover effects of conservation initiatives like Project Cheetah.
- Highlights need for further surveys and habitat protection.