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Rock On, Flaco!

February 18, 2023 | 10:08 AM - Updated on February 21, 2023 | 12:46 AM
in NEWS, OUTDOORS
35
Credit: #BirdCentralPark.

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 the owl in Central Park Zoo. Photograph by Eleni Palmos.

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.”

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35 Comments
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Will
Will
7 months ago

I can’t understand why the “bird experts” can’t woo it down.

3
Reply
Kel
Kel
7 months ago
Reply to  Will

Because he is smarter than “bird experts”.
They are pretenders, he IS a bird… and quite a smart one at that.

1
Reply
CP birder
CP birder
7 months ago
Reply to  Will

Because barrett and his paparazzi keep getting in the way

8
Reply
Robert
Robert
7 months ago

“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.”

I’m all for letting Flaco do what he wishes. However, this particular statement is odd given the late-night collision between a Conservancy vehicle and a Central Park owl (Barry) just over a year ago (as reported by, among others, West Side Rag: https://www.westsiderag.com/2021/08/07/barry-the-beloved-barred-owl-of-central-park-dies-in-collision-with-conservancy-maintenance-vehicle).

Conservancy vehicles tend to move slower during the day, speeding up at night, which is quite dangerous for birds and humans alike. I highly encourage Conservancy staff to act more cautiously at night.

25
Reply
bill
bill
7 months ago
Reply to  Robert

Barry was also full of poison and probably not maneuvering normally.

1
Reply
Matilda
Matilda
7 months ago
Reply to  Robert

Falco needs real liberal rat meat. It found the colony .

2
Reply
Steevie
Steevie
7 months ago

They are surprised that after years in a cage Flacco did not forget how to fly?

11
Reply
Jacqueline DeAnda
Jacqueline DeAnda
7 months ago

Tell his trainer to go and get the owl back.The person he kn ow should get him back,This been to long

0
Reply
Jersey Pete
Jersey Pete
7 months ago
Reply to  Jacqueline DeAnda

How would you like to live in a cage your whole life?

Last edited 7 months ago by Jersey Pete
15
Reply
J.L.
J.L.
7 months ago

All the pigeons hang on to their Fifth Ave address for dear life. Now it owns the whole park and then some.
Flaco is a free bird- “Cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see…”

6
Reply
Max Honkidonk
Max Honkidonk
7 months ago

This one is better off at the Zoo. Vehicles aside, the park routinely poisons rats and even if they’re taking a break, at some point they’ll resume, whether or not that is an owl present.

8
Reply
Sherrylee Houseman
Sherrylee Houseman
7 months ago

I think he should return to the zoo there are so many dangerous things in the wild but maybe the zoo should invest in a larger pen for him much larger 🙄

6
Reply
Crowley
Crowley
7 months ago
Reply to  Sherrylee Houseman

Better to live full fast and furious than long in silent desperation…

5
Reply
Majeda
Majeda
7 months ago
Reply to  Crowley

I TOTALLY AGREE!

0
Reply
Sarah
Sarah
7 months ago

Without anthropomorphizing, I think it’s safe to say that Flaco has made his preferences clear, but I fear it will be at the cost of a significantly shortened lifespan.

15
Reply
Don Milland
Don Milland
7 months ago

He needs a girlfriend!

9
Reply
Adam
Adam
7 months ago
Reply to  Don Milland

#getflacogirlfriend (?) Hope Flaco finds some homeys.

4
Reply
Mary DiGeronimo
Mary DiGeronimo
7 months ago

It’s too dangerous for him to remain in the park..rat poison is a real problem that will kill him…praying for his return to his enclosure…

9
Reply
Cori
Cori
7 months ago

Could we catch him, and then return him to his ancestral home? Seems to me like he should be where he belongs.

9
Reply
West is best
West is best
7 months ago

What a clever owl, who knew? (Pun intended)

3
Reply
CP birder
CP birder
7 months ago

Why go to Barrett for a quote. He’s an amateur hack and has sabatoged efforts to capture Flaco all for his social media hits. Most birders can’t stand him and his sidekick birding bob for their unethical behavior in the park. Next time ask a professional, like someone from the audubon society for a quote. Leaving Flaco free in Central Park poses a big risk to our native and migrating birds.

13
Reply
Bonnie
Bonnie
7 months ago

No one has commented on the possibility that this non-native Eurasian eagle-owl can and may well breed with wild, native great horned owls. (This ability has been documented in the scientific literature). The results could be devastating to native owls. as many unintentional introductions of non-native species has been shown to happen.. And, no one seems to care, that owls are known to be one of the most susceptible genera/ species to be by infected with and die from West Nile virus. It is probable that this individual owl has been vaccinated against WNV while at the Central Park Zoo. And it’s possible that he will retain some immunity for awhile, but it is pretty short lived in owls, usually requiring two vaccinations per year.

Perhaps rather than anthropomorphizing, David Barrett should consider that the average life span of wild, free-ranging Eurasian Eagle Owls is 20 years; longevity in captivity (while not the average) has been documented to be up to 65 years. And, finally, by using his twitter account to arouse followers, he has certainly made life more uncomfortable for this owl by encouraging amassing of individuals around it to interfere with the “normal” life he purports to care about.

Everyone should retreat to more sustainable distance; give the bird room and peace. And, please let the people who work hard every day to make life better for animals (i.e. zoo staff and professional biologists) do what they think is best. A better use of energy, time and money could go to construction of large flight cages in zoos and wildlife centers so all people can be educated about these magnificent creatures.

And, while I’m at it, support the Wild Bird Fund on Columbus Ave. It’s the only facility in the City that takes in injured, poisoned or ill wild birds, provides excellent veterinary care, and returns a very high percentage of birds to the wild after treatment.(www.wildbirdfund.org)

30
Reply
West 90th Street birder
West 90th Street birder
7 months ago
Reply to  Bonnie

Thank you, Bonnie. All the intrusive attention that eager photographers give to Flaco is likely disrupting the owl’s circadian rhythm – his time to sleep is during the daytime when all the photographers are surrounding him and probably disrupting his expected sleep cycle. This could then impact his hunting and feeding cycle. I love photography. It’s my passion. But I do not need a trophy photo of this creature on my figurative wall. IMHO, it’s time to just let him live in the peace of nature.

5
Reply
Adam
Adam
7 months ago
Reply to  Bonnie

Great post! I wonder: could the introduction of one single individual non-native owl, even if it hybridizes with them, impact the local horned owl population?

3
Reply
Flaco T. Owl
Flaco T. Owl
7 months ago

Forget about (or fuhgeddabout, as youse newyorkahs say) capturing me! I am too clever for that!
And remember, some believe us owls are omens of death and are also friends of witches; so don’t mess with us!
That’s all for now; I’m off to find me a rat.
Owl be seeing you in all the old familiar places.

11
Reply
Majeda
Majeda
7 months ago
Reply to  Flaco T. Owl

LOVE IT!!!!

1
Reply
Janet Greer
Janet Greer
7 months ago

Again…. One poisoned rat and Flaco dies. My family are all owl rescuers and rehabilitators. I am not. But I know this and I’m writing on their behalf. C Park and NYC is full of rat poison. Poisoned rats meander into the park and the “ black boxes” align C Park West just outside buildings. Let’s be educated about this. Experts are talking about Flaco being hit by a vehicle ( and certainly this could happen) but eating a rat is more likely and thr fact that NOBODY ever mentions this proves the lack of education around this species. This isn’t a cute story. It’s a sad story.

9
Reply
Sticks loony
Sticks loony
7 months ago
Reply to  Janet Greer

I wish him the best and hope that he could be in a sanctuary. His enclosure at the zoo is so small and sad. He needs room to fly. He may enjoy the park for a while and we all feel good about that for now but something is bound to happen to end his life earlier. All I know from this story is that humans suck in general a lot of the time. except the ones who dedicate their lives to saving animals. I volunteer at the wild bird fund and it is truly a remarkable place.

8
Reply
Peter
Peter
7 months ago

Man, we need many more Flacos, in these trying days.Fly on majestic bird!!!.

6
Reply
Paul of NYC
Paul of NYC
7 months ago

That is one very smart owl!

3
Reply
Chris
Chris
7 months ago

1 owl cannot have an impact on the parks ecosystem. From what I understand NY has an abundance of rats, so what is the actual harm in letting him be what he’s supposed to be, a wild owl. Leave him alone, let nature do it’s thing. For those who disagree, please ponder your own impact on this earth? I’m betting you’re carbon footprint is ridiculous

6
Reply
Freedom!
Freedom!
7 months ago
Reply to  Chris

How terrible that the controlled masses think he should be locked up again! What a relief he’s been able to live a real life. He’s enjoying freedom at last!

3
Reply
Jen
Jen
7 months ago

I feel the Owl should be rescued and taken back to the zoo, then they should make arrangements for a sanctuary or a larger enclosure. The Zoo has remained silent on social media, leading Manhattan Bird Alert be the spokesperson for this situation. I feel the Zoo handled this unprofessionally.

1
Reply
Freedom!
Freedom!
7 months ago
Reply to  Jen

Take the poor creature back to where they found him in the wild and set him free.

1
Reply
wombatNYC
wombatNYC
7 months ago

If only “Flaco” could have made this much of an impression and impact on the NY JETS

1
Reply

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