Dozens flocked to Central Park to bid farewell to Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl.
“I’m just gonna remember how [much of] an awesome, awesome presence he was,” said lifelong New Yorker Amelia Silver-Greenberg.
What You Need To Know
- Dozens of mournful fans of Flaco the Eurasian eagle-owl gathered in Central Park on Sunday to say goodbye to the beloved creature who became an inspiration and joy to many as he flew around Manhattan
- A memorial featuring speeches, songs and poems was held in the late afternoon at what organizers call Flaco's favorite oak tree
- Flaco was found dead on the Upper West Side on Feb. 23 after apparently hitting a building. People at the ceremony also advocated for new laws aimed at helping to prevent birds from flying into buildings
- Flaco escaped his exhibit at the Central Park Zoo in February of last year, after a vandal or vandals cut through the stainless steel mesh of the enclosure, the zoo said. He had lived there for 13 years
Birders, wildlife activists and Flaco fans gathered by his favorite oak tree on East Drive near the 102nd Street Crossing. Mourners left signs, letters and flowers while some made their own keepsakes to mark the occasion. The memorial also featured speeches, songs and poems.
“I wanted to do something to commemorate Flaco and his life and his death. He meant so much to so many people,” said Julia Hutchinson, who made special Flaco stickers to hand out to fellow fans.
Flaco could be spotted flying all around Manhattan after vandals released him from his enclosure at the Central Park Zoo a little over a year ago. Some New Yorkers followed Flaco’s travels across the borough from the East Village to the Upper West Side in order to see the majestic owl in person.
“He was outside my window where he stayed for hours and I saw him hoot, I saw him roost. It was really special and I’ll never forget it,” Silver-Greenberg said.
Zoo officials were at first fearful for his survival, but he proved to be self-sufficient. Some said he was a source of inspiration.
“Everyone said after Flaco escaped that he wouldn’t last very long. He surprised everyone, not only when he lived but lived and survived and thrived,” Julia Hutchinson said.
Flaco was found dead on the Upper West Side on Feb. 23. Zoologists said he suffered traumatic impact injuries, possibly from hitting a building. Mourners said they hope Flaco’s life will inspire a new generation of bird lovers.
“Studying birds, we shouldn’t anthropomorphize them. They have their own motives, their own needs, but at the same time we can’t help but connect with them,” Andrew Hutchinson said.
People at the ceremony also advocated for new laws aimed at helping to prevent birds from flying into buildings and curbing the use of rat poison that larger birds can ingest while eating prey. Efforts also are underway to put a statue of Flaco in Central Park.
Efforts are underway to put a statue of Flaco in Central Park. Flaco would have turned 14 next month.