Flaco, the Eurasian eagle owl that captured New Yorkers’ hearts, tragically died following a collision, compounded by health issues from living in an urban environment.
Flaco, a 13-year-old Eurasian eagle owl that had gained significant attention in New York City after escaping captivity, tragically died following a collision with a building on the city’s Upper West Side. A postmortem examination revealed that prior to the fatal accident, Flaco had been suffering from serious health issues, including a deadly infection known as pigeon herpesvirus and high levels of rat poison in his system. These conditions, which stemmed from his urban diet of feral pigeons and exposure to commonly used rat poisons, had already compromised his health significantly.
The viral infection caused severe damage to Flaco’s internal organs, and the presence of rat poison further exacerbated his fragile condition. The combination of these factors likely contributed to his inability to avoid the fatal collision. Bronx Zoo officials, who conducted the examination, highlighted the myriad dangers urban wildlife faces, particularly from infectious diseases, environmental toxins, and physical injuries.
Flaco’s story captivated many New Yorkers during his time in the city, following his escape from a damaged enclosure in Central Park. The circumstances behind the damage to his enclosure and subsequent escape remain unresolved, casting a shadow of mystery over his final days. Despite his untimely death, the owl’s journey highlights the critical challenges and dangers faced by wildlife in metropolitan areas, underscoring the need for ongoing conservation and protection efforts for these animals within urban settings.