The western burrowing owl needs our help. Unusual among owl species, this pint-sized raptor lives in elaborate underground burrows. These owls cannot dig their own burrows, and instead “reuse” excavated dens dug by ground squirrels and other fossorial (burrowing) animals. With its penchant for open, native grasslands, the burrowing owl has been on a collision course with humans throughout much of Southern California. San Diego Zoo Global (SDZG) is determined to help reverse the owl’s decline with effective, science-based solutions. Our Burrowing Owl Recovery Program takes a multi-prong, multiple-partner approach to better understand the ecology of these birds in San Diego County, which will help guide best conservation practices moving forward.