Molecular data contradicts historical records and cautions translocation of the Lord Howe Island masked owl

► Introduced masked owls are a threat to biodiversity on LHI, a world heritage site. ► Masked owls were introduced to LHI from Tasmania, the Tasmanian population is now considered endangered. ► We assessed the provenance of the LHI masked owl population using mitochondrial and microsatellite genetic markers. ► We found that at least part of the LHI masked owls ancestry lies with the south-eastern mainland Australian population. ► We conclude that the LHI masked owl is likely to be a hybrid population and translocation to Tasmania is not recommended.