An unlikely symbol of cooperation, the barn owl brings Arab and Israeli scientists together

A cross-border conservation project centered on barn owls is fostering cooperation between Israeli and Arab scientists, offering a rare example of coexistence in the conflict-ridden Middle East. Meeting in Greece this week, researchers from 12 countries are examining ways to boost the global population of the nocturnal predator that ruthlessly hunts rodents in crop fields as a sustainable alternative to pesticides. The project expanded from a partnership between a renowned Israeli ornithologist and a retired Jordanian army general. It's attracted attention from prominent politicians as well as Pope Francis.