Flaco, New York's Beloved Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Succumbs to Urban Hazards

The tragic death of Flaco, after escaping from the Central Park Zoo, highlights the dangers faced by wildlife in urban environments.

Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl that captured New York's heart, died from a combination of a severe pigeon herpesvirus, exposure to four types of rat poison, and traumatic injuries.
After escaping from the Central Park Zoo in February 2023, Flaco became a symbol of resilience and freedom, navigating the urban jungle of Manhattan for over a year.
Veterinary pathologists determined that the pigeon herpesvirus and rat poisons in Flaco's system were debilitating and would have been fatal even without the traumatic injury.
Flaco's death has sparked a broader conversation about the impact of urban environments on wildlife, with calls for measures to protect these animals.
The community mourned Flaco's passing with memorials and a petition for a statue in Central Park, as investigations into the vandalism of his zoo enclosure continue.