Abstract
The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), the largest owl in the Czech nature, used to be one of bird species systematically persecuted by humans. The human aversion towards the eagle-owl was mainly related to hunting management in the countryside (the eagle-owl was viewed as a pest to hunting, as it preyed upon partridges and pheasants valued by hunters as game).
At the same time, his younglings were systematically collected from nests to be used as baits for hunting of other birds. Systemic persecution brought the species to the edge of extinction in Czechia at the end of 19th century.
During the 20th century, the eagle-owl gradually became subject of ever stricter legal protection in Czechia, which prevented its total extinction and ensured the existence of a gradually growing population.