Fly Free Flaco

This cool and odd story. Flaco, a Eurasian Eagle Owl, is now roosting in Central Park.

Here is the odd little story.

A few weeks ago, someone vandalized Flaco's enclosure in the Central Park Zoo and cut the fencing. Flaco flew away, and the zoo organized to try and recapture him. Turns out that he was born in captivity (which is how most Zoo animals are acquired now) and had never been taught to hunt or eat prey.

Well, Flaco is now doing well. He has learned to kill and eat (mainly rats) and is living his best life in Central Park.

Since Flaco CAN survive on his own, the Zoo has suspended attempts to catch him. They will monitor Flaco, because rodent poison can harm bird predators - they want to make sure he stays alright. One local owl in Central Park hit a trash truck and was later found to have very high poison in their systems and had problems flying. They are making sure that doesn't happen.

In the meantime, fly free Flaco.