Flaco, the Eurasian eagle owl that made headlines after escaping from New York City’s Central Park Zoo last year, has tragically passed away after colliding with a building in Manhattan, officials confirmed on Friday.
The owl, named Flaco, was found injured after hitting a building on West 89th Street, and despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Wild Bird Fund (WBF).
Following the discovery of Flaco’s remains, they were taken to the Bronx Zoo for a necropsy, according to Central Park Zoo officials.
The zoo expressed hope that the New York police department would find and arrest the person responsible for vandalizing Flaco’s enclosure, which led to his escape and ultimately his untimely death.
Flaco, who was rescued by the zoo in 2010, was the only owl of his kind in the wild in North America, and there were concerns about his survival after being in captivity for 13 years.
During his time in the wild, Flaco demonstrated his hunting skills and improved his flying abilities, despite initial doubts about his ability to survive outside of captivity.
Efforts to recapture Flaco were unsuccessful, as he evaded bait and calls from the zoo, leading to his prolonged freedom in Central Park and other areas of Manhattan.
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Throughout his time in the wild, Flaco was monitored by the Central Park Zoo staff, who were prepared to intervene if he encountered any difficulties.
Owls like Flaco are solitary creatures, and it was speculated that his ventures outside of Central Park were driven by a search for a mate.
As recently as November, Flaco was spotted in Central Park, seemingly unfazed by the crowd of onlookers as he enjoyed a sunny afternoon.
The Central Park Zoo expressed gratitude for the support and concern shown for Flaco, as well as the efforts of the Wild Bird Fund to assist him.
The news of Flaco’s death sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, with many expressing their condolences and sharing the zoo’s announcement.
2024-02-24 01:20:31
Link from www.theguardian.com