Flaco, the beloved Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped from New York City’s Central Park Zoo over a year ago, has tragically passed away after colliding with a building on the Upper West Side. The owl, known for flying around Manhattan and making appearances at windows, had been thriving in the city despite his captivity upbringing. Flaco’s escape captured the hearts of New Yorkers as he became a local celebrity, but his untimely death has left many saddened.
The Central Park Zoo, where Flaco lived before his escape, believes that the vandalism that led to his escape ultimately caused his death. The zoo staff expressed their disappointment and frustration with the unknown individual responsible for damaging Flaco’s exhibit, leading to his tragic demise.
Following the collision, staff from the Wild Bird Fund, a wildlife rehabilitation center, declared Flaco dead and transported him to the Bronx Zoo for a necropsy. The news of Flaco’s passing has left many in mourning, as he had become a symbol of freedom, resilience, and adaptability in the bustling urban landscape of New York City.
The Central Park Zoo is still hopeful that the NYPD, who is investigating the vandalism that allowed Flaco to escape, will make an arrest in connection to his death. Despite the loss of Flaco, his memory will live on in the hearts of those who followed his journey through the city streets of Manhattan.
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