Beloved escapee Flaco the Eurasian eagle owl died in collision on Upper West Side

Flaco, the Eurasian eagle owl who captured hearts across New York City after escaping the Central Park Zoo last year, tragically passed away on February 23, 2024. According to the Central Park Zoo, he was found unresponsive on the pavement outside a building on West 89th Street after colliding with it. The Wild Bird Fund responded but was unable to save him.

This has been a deeply sad day for all of us at the Wild Bird Fund. We hoped only to see Flaco hooting wildly from the top of our local water tower, never in the clinic. We are grateful to all who contacted us today and all who helped with his rescue

Wild Bird Fund

Flaco’s escape, attributed to vandalism of his exhibit, sparked a year of hope and intrigue as he navigated the urban landscape. Birdwatchers tracked his movements, sharing sightings and photos that delighted the public. He became a symbol of resilience and adaptation, demonstrating the unexpected ways wildlife can thrive even in concrete jungles.

While his freedom was short-lived, Flaco’s story sparked important conversations about the importance of responsible wildlife care and the challenges faced by animals in urban environments. The Central Park Zoo, where he spent most of his life, has taken steps to improve exhibit security to prevent future escapes.

It had been on February 2, 2023 when vandals had cut through the stainless steel wire mesh at the owl’s enclosure. Flaco immediately flew away, but stayed in the vicinity of Fifth Avenue where authorities tried to capture him, but this wily owl was having none of it. Then came a flurry of winged activity on Twitter as sightings of Flaco, thankfully distracting the ongoing political insults and Elon Musk barbs.

When Flaco first escaped, he had not been eating and avid observers called him “skinny” – hence the name Flaco which means “skinny” in Spanish. But after numerous reports of the owl coughing up fur and bones – all signs of some hearty rat eating, he became quite a star, and people rushed to catch a glimpse of him perched high atop some of Central Park’s most beautiful trees.

Eurasian eagle-owls are not native to North America, and when Flaco arrived in New York City in 2010, he was only a year old. Although owls are mostly solitary and only get together during mating season, it is still up in the air if Flaco was lonely.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates the zoo, expressed their heartbreak over Flaco’s passing and condemned the act of vandalism that ultimately led to his death.

The vandal who damaged Flaco’s exhibit jeopardized the safety of the bird and is ultimately responsible for his death.

Central Park Zoo

While Flaco’s journey has come to an end, his memory will live on. He leaves behind a legacy of wonder and appreciation for the natural world, even within the bustling heart of a city. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion for wildlife and the need to protect them from harm.

Read more about Flaco’s escape here.

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