The
bird, which mainly feeds on rats, is mainly used for biological control
of rats at the oil palm plantations in Malaysia. An employee of Sime
Darby Plantation in Malaysia explains the role of the bird to the
visitors. Interestingly, the bird is known in the state of Kerala in
some other way - a sign of luck. Police sources say Barn Owl, known as
`Vellimoonga' is priced between Rs 8 to 10 lakh. Fraudsters make people
believe that keeping the Owl at home would bring prosperity.
Unfortunately, the state agriculture department and the researchers of
Kerala Agriculture University, who boast off organic farming practices,
failed to tap the real potential of the bird
