Flaco’s Flight: An Owl’s Epic Urban Odyssey
The intrepid Eurasian owl that made a daring escape from the confines of the Central Park Zoo eight months ago. It all unfolded when mischievous vandals tampered with Flaco’s enclosure, turning his life into a thrilling adventure that would capture the imagination of New Yorkers and beyond. The zookeepers, aided by the NYPD, launched a determined effort to reclaim the escapee, deploying nets and traps, only to be outwitted by the feathered mastermind.
#Flaco, the wily Eurasian eagle owl who escaped from Central Park Zoo a week ago, giving zookeepers the fly-around tonight, avoiding their nets and traps #birdcpp PIC.TWITTER.COM/37PJGX6WZK
— Bill Hutchinson (@bill_hutchinson) FEBRUARY 10, 2023
After reveling in his newfound liberty, Flaco transformed Central Park into his personal haven, gathering a devoted following dubbed the “Flacoholics.” His gastronomic choices? A steady diet of rats as he soared above the iconic city that never sleeps. This was no mere survival tale; Flaco was thriving in the heart of the urban jungle. Flaco vanished into thin air when we thought we had the script figured out.
Well, that was a hoot 🦉
We tried to help this lil wise guy, but he had enough of his growing audience & flew off. @NYCParks Rangers, be on the lookout — he was last seen flying south on 5th Avenue. @BirdCentralPark HTTPS://T.CO/0KOLDDBSY1 pic.twitter.com/AO9F7KSGcr— NYPD 19th Precinct (@NYPD19Pct) February 3, 2023
At the tail end of October, Flaco, the owl who had momentarily vanished from the public eye, staged a comeback a mere week later, setting the scene for a fresh episode in the East Village and Lower East Side. The spectacle unfolded as Flaco engaged in a captivating stare-off with a resident on a balcony, leaving spectators to ponder: Was Flaco on a quest for a companion, or was this another unforeseen twist in his remarkable urban tale?
Central Park Zoo stopping all efforts to recapture Flaco the escaped owl https://t.co/1XMMRu66YS PIC.TWITTER.COM/FFGNYISPMQ
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) February 19, 2023
Flaco’s initial escape from the Central Park Zoo in February marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey, with the owl outsmarting capture attempts and endearing himself to New Yorkers. His seamless adaptation to city life, thriving in diverse neighborhoods, and robust appearance have intrigued spectators and garnered attention from the Manhattan Bird Alert account.
Despite the hurdles encountered during his escape, Flaco’s tale symbolizes resilience and the harmonious coexistence of wildlife in bustling urban landscapes.
