Flaco, the only Eurasian eagle-owl in the wild in North America, died on Friday after hitting a building in Manhattan. He had escaped from the Central Park Zoo last year when someone vandalised his enclosure.
Falco: No way to Zoo
The zoo tried to recapture him with bait and calls, but he did not fall for them. They gave up after a few weeks, but kept an eye on him. They said they were ready to help him if he needed it.
Flaco mostly stayed in or near Central Park, but sometimes explored other parts of the city. Some thought he was looking for a mate. He was often seen by people who admired his beauty and majesty.
“We appreciate all the support and concern over the wellbeing of Flaco throughout the past year and the many people who contacted us with updates,” the zoo said.
“We especially appreciate the quick response by the staff of the Wild Bird Fund in their attempt to help Flaco.”
Flaco’s death sparked an outcry on social media. Many users on X (formerly known as Twitter, shared their grief and gratitude for his remarkable journey. One user suggested demolishing the building where he crashed.
Flaco was a large owl, with a wingspan of about 6ft (1.8m). A study by ornithologist Stephen Ambrose in 2020 suggested that city lights could blind owls and make them crash into buildings.
