Flaco the New York Central Park owl

Flaco is a male Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped his long-time enclosure at Central Park Zoo in New York City and took up residence in Central Park in February 2023. As an exotic species in North America, and one that was confined to a small enclosure in a zoo, his escape attracted significant public and press attention. There were concerns for his ability to feed himself after being captive for so long, without the need to fly or hunt, but he was seen successfully catching and eating rats a week later. Attempts to recapture Flaco failed and a petition circulated advocating for him to remain free. Zoo officials ceased attempts to recapture him once it became clear he was eating on a regular basis and his flying skills improved, though there are other lingering concerns about the dangers for owls in the park, like rodenticide.

Right now they think Flaco is searching for a mate. Which is kind of sad because he's not likely to find another of his kind here.💔

What a beautiful raptor he is.

Piper · 61-69, F

I think I remember hearing about Flaco's escape, earlier this year. Although all owls are pretty majestic looking to me, he surely is especially regal.

It's very sad, how many owls and other creatures suffer and or (very often) die due to rodent poison. At first I was thinking Flaco would probably be much better off back at the Central Park Zoo, and then I read that his enclosure there was the "size of a bus stop". I also read that he's recently strayed quite a ways from the park, and that rodenticides are frequently used even within New York's parks. It is speculated that it was loud fireworks being set off in the park, that scared him away from it.