Central Park Zoo’s Free-Flying Owl, Flaco, Passes Away

TL/DR –

Flaco, a well-known owl from New York’s Central Park Zoo, died from an acute traumatic injury after striking a building in Manhattan. Flaco had been missing for over a year after a vandal cut through the steel mesh of his habitat, allowing him to roam the city. An investigation into the vandalism is ongoing, and the zoo holds the perpetrator ultimately responsible for Flaco’s death.

Tragic Ending for Famous Central Park Zoo Owl

Flaco, the well-known Central Park Zoo owl, tragically died on Friday after going missing over a year ago when his habitat was vandalized, as reported by the zoo officials.

The bird collided with a building near Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, according to a statement from the Wildlife Conservation Society-operated zoo.

The unresponsive bird was picked up around 7 p.m. by the World Bird Fund, after folks in the building contacted the organization.

Post the tragic incident, Flaco was taken to Bronx Zoo for a necropsy. The initial findings suggest “acute traumatic injury,” like striking a building, as the cause of death.

To get more detailed findings, including possible exposure to toxins and infectious diseases, tissue samples and toxicology tests are currently underway. Conclusions based on these tests could take weeks.

The zoo also mentioned that building collisions in New York City reportedly kill over 200,000 migratory birds annually, a datum supported by non-profit NYC Audubon.

Flaco escaped from his exhibit at Central Park Zoo on Feb. 2, 2023, after a culprit cut through the steel mesh of his habitat.

Despite concerns about his survival, Flaco managed to thrive in New York City, feeding on abundant prey.

However, Jacqueline Emery, a birder who tracked Flaco’s movements, stated earlier this month to The Associated Press that his survival against all odds resonated with New Yorkers.

Despite multiple evasion attempts, the famous owl remained a constant presence in Manhattan in the year following the habitat breach.

The person who vandalized the exhibit has not been identified yet, but the zoo firmly believes they’re ultimately responsible for Flaco’s death.

The zoo expressed hope that the NYPD, currently investigating the 2023 vandalism, will soon make an arrest.

The NYPD confirmed via email on Saturday that the 2023 zoo breach investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.

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