Rock On, Flaco!

By Lisa Kava

On Friday, February 17, the Central Park Zoo released a statement indicating zoo officials will halt attempts — at least temporarily — to capture Flaco, the 13-year-old Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped from the zoo on February 2 after his enclosure was vandalized. The zoo staff said they will continue to monitor Flaco and his activities, and be “prepared to resume recovery efforts if he shows any sign of difficulty or distress.”

The zoo’s statement came the day after an attempt to capture Flaco on the evening of February 16, using both food and a recording of a female owl’s calls. While there have been numerous attempts to trap Flaco since he escaped, the latest one inspired a social media outcry with the hashtag #freeflaco and a petition, which garnered over 1,000 signatures in less than 24 hours.

Flaco had lived at the Central Park Zoo since 2010. Initially, there was concern that having spent his life in captivity being fed by humans, Flaco would not know how to hunt for food, fly, or live outside the zoo. Zoo staff repeatedly tried to trap him soon after his escape by enticing him with his favorite foods, but they were not successful. Originally remaining near the zoo, Flaco soon began to spread his wings and explore different sections of Central Park. To the delight of his fans, he appeared adept at flying as he soared from branch to branch. Bird watchers flocked to the park to watch him in action.

On Saturday evening, February 11, it was discovered that Flaco ate a rat, proving he indeed had the ability to feed himself. The zoo released a statement on February 12, saying that they would suspend efforts to recover Flaco, but would “continue to monitor him, though not as intensely, and look to opportunistically recover him when the situation is right.”

Just a few days later, on the evening of February 16, zoo staff tried to trap Flaco near the Sheep Meadow, using bait and a recording of a female owl’s hoots. While Flaco hooted back, he refused to be captured. The attempt set off anger and frustration among those who believe it is ethically wrong to return Flaco to captivity. The petition began, and a twitter outcry erupted with the #freeflaco hashtag.

Crucial part of what happened last night. Truly horrifying to listen to & watch Flaco earnestly & endlessly respond to the Zoo’s deceit. They caused him to suffer acute stress which violates @NYCParks rules protecting wildlife. #freeflaco https://t.co/GEmhIwlEmR

— r2junot (@r2junot) February 17, 2023

What is best for Flaco’s well-being? The Rag reached out to David Barrett, founder and manager of the popular Twitter account, Manhattan Bird Alert @BirdCentralPark, for his opinion.

“Eurasian Eagle-Owls, like many other animals, live longer in captivity than they do in the wild,” Barrett wrote to WSR in an email. “But what does Flaco want?” Barrett suggests Flaco has already answered the question. “After spending a couple days last week resting over his old home, the Central Park Zoo, he has moved on to explore the park. He seems to be enjoying his freedom, doing all the things a wild owl would be expected to do.”

Barrett is impressed by how quickly Flaco has adapted to his new surroundings. “Not only has he developed the skill and endurance to fly around the park, he looks graceful doing it. This after a lifetime of being forced to be mostly sedentary. He hoots, too! Probably both to indicate his territory and to find a mate.”

WSR asked Barrett about potential dangers to Flaco in the park, such as rat poison. “Yes, rat poison is a danger,” Barrett wrote, “but it is equally a danger for any of the many raptors (mostly hawks) that venture into Central Park each day and eat rats. The Central Park Conservancy is not currently using any rodenticides, so the risk is likely to be relatively small and common to any park in an urban area.” Barrett said there is also danger of collision with a vehicle, but that is small, given that public vehicles aren’t allowed on park drives.

But Barrett pointed out that Flaco is “a nonnative owl species,” meaning zoo and park wildlife officials would need to study his impact on Central Park’s ecosystem. And while members of  Flaco’s fan club are passionately advocating for his freedom, some bird watchers are raising questions.

“As an avid bird watcher, I wonder if it’s not a great idea to introduce a huge, nonnative bird of prey to Central Park, an important stopover for many of our own native birds,” Alison S. said. “He will eat whatever he can, which could possibly include threatened species of our own, not to mention outcompeting or harassing the great horned owls, red-tailed hawks, and barred owls that visit us here.”

“We believe that Flaco deserves more time free, and understand that ultimately his effect on the park’s ecosystem and his ability to survive in it long-term will need to be evaluated before he gets a permanent pass,” Barrett said. “He seems to be doing well in the park and causing no harm (except to rats!), and park-goers love him. Letting him stay free in the park while experts investigate seems reasonable.”