Otus ireneae is threatened with habitat (forest) degradation.
Otus ireneae was until recently believed endemic to the 372 km Arabuko--Sokoke forest in coastal Kenya. In mid-1992 an individual largely resembling O. ireneae was trapped in the lowland Kambai Forest Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania, indicating that significant numbers may yet be found in the area, increasing the importance of the forest conservation projects there.
The population levels (Kenya) of Otus ireneae were estimated at 1,000 pairs in 1984, and confirmed by fieldwork during 1994.
Otus iremeae is listed as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List.