Flaco, the owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo and died after colliding with a building in Manhattan, has sparked mourning and tributes across New York City. The initial necropsy findings suggest death due to acute traumatic injury. Zoologists are testing for toxins and disease as contributing factors. The Wildlife Conservation Society blames a vandal for Flaco's death, emphasizing the need for safer bird habitats in NYC. Flaco's story of survival and freedom has touched many, with calls for better bird protection measures in the city.
Key points explored on #sustainwhat after the short freedom and premature death of Flaco, NYC's improbable eagle 🦉 owl. @carlsafina on the value and limits of zoos. @adammsmi on designing for birds and people simultaenously. @eyeonthefly on the scale of the problem (illustrated… https://t.co/wIu8ThvGmw
Flaco tributes popping up across NYC, this one is in the LES, as is the second. May we all die free https://t.co/Ib4cSKBg2a
One in a Billion – The Death of Flaco the Owl and the Wider Threat Buildings Pose to Birds https://t.co/vJf0qPZ41d
Flaco, the owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo last year and died on Friday, was one of an estimated billion birds that will die in the U.S. this year from crashing into buildings. Here are some of the ways humans can help. https://t.co/OcbNvcxRGE
Bill proposed to protect birds in NYC could be renamed for Flaco the owl, mourners leave flowers https://t.co/aMbwxVXgqz https://t.co/kDlf7DEmrm
With New York City mourning the death of Central Park Zoo owl Flaco, @jimcramer, @davidfaber & @carlquintanilla reminisce about their own memories with the Eurasian bird. "Freedom is very hard to lose." https://t.co/3TgJADkBPw
LIVE at 1 pm ET join our discussion of how New York's Eagle Owl "Flaco" Embraced Freedom, but in an Environment Full of Man-Made Perils https://t.co/TDnCRKB4YF Guests are @carlsafina @eyeonthefly of @FLAPCanada and architect @adammsmi LINKS ARE IN THE POST https://t.co/lrPM8rH0Nd
Dozens of handwritten cards were placed at the Central Park memorial for Flaco over the weekend. https://t.co/30mZBE5A31
In @nytopinion Flaco the owl “reaffirmed a truth: that given a chance, living things choose agency and freedom of movement,” writes Carl Safina, an ecologist, in a guest essay. https://t.co/7Kz1FytdOx
The death of Flaco prompted an outpouring of love and heartbreak as New Yorkers gathered over the weekend at one of his favorite trees to pay respect. https://t.co/EjNEefQWt4
Owl Who Died After Escaping New York City Zoo Is Mourned by Busy Philipps and More Stars: ‘I’m Devastated’ https://t.co/QKDmUg1pFz
Flaco superfans’ theory that NYC’s celebrity owl was ill before his death will get tested out by zoologists. https://t.co/qkNYsQEy2v
The accidental death of Flaco prompted an outpouring of love and heartbreak as New Yorkers gathered this weekend at one of his favorite trees to pay respect. https://t.co/ZRnHeBHwbC
Flaco memorial in Central Park, East Dr. in line with 104th St. https://t.co/G2lWyFIgBl
What killed Flaco the owl? New York zoologists testing for toxins, disease as contributing factors https://t.co/iZL3sjYxLq
"What killed Flaco the owl? New York zoologists testing for toxins, disease as contributing factors." (via @AP) https://t.co/4meapcM25r
'Glass is lethal': Death of Flaco renews calls to make NYC's buildings safer for birds https://t.co/qE2Vn2wJsI
“Flaco the Owl was, in many ways, a typical New Yorker -- fiercely independent, constantly exploring, finding ways to survive ever-changing challenges." https://t.co/zkjcwWeUII
Some New Yorkers were fortunate to have a visit from Flaco. He always wanted to peer into apartments and make sure his fellow urban dwellers were behaving themselves. 🦉💔 https://t.co/SAXryMzoV5
Mourners leave flowers, letters for Flaco the owl at his favorite tree in Central Park https://t.co/dNpxcryx0I https://t.co/PkZ63fu4RE
Flaco, who was spotted across Manhattan after escaping the Central Park Zoo last year, apparently collided with a building on West 89th Street. https://t.co/8Y9rthf1GJ https://t.co/1dzmcffOlA
“Our initial exam and information from the scene indicated that Flaco had collided with a window. Whether there was an underlying cause, such as rodenticide, we don’t yet know.” https://t.co/077BmbdQX6
I like that Flaco spent almost his entire life with humans coming to see him and how he lived, and once he had freedom he returned the favor. Peering at humans in their little enclosures. https://t.co/STeTdEPlmx
I like that Flaco spent almost his entire life with humans coming to see him and how he lived, and once he had freedom he returned the favor. Peering at humans in their little enclosures. How he must have pitied us. https://t.co/STeTdEPlmx
Look how soulful he was. Not all owls look like that! Flaco didn't even look like that when he was trapped in his enclosure. His year of freedom changed his face and his expression. https://t.co/BQr1yMG8Ro
“The vandal who damaged Flaco’s exhibit jeopardized the safety of the bird and is ultimately responsible for his death,” WCS said. https://t.co/077BmbdQX6
The Times reports initial findings from Flaco’s necropsy: “On Saturday evening, the Central Park Zoo reported that the initial results of a necropsy showed that Flaco had died of acute traumatic injury. He had substantial hemorrhaging under his sternum and around his liver, as… https://t.co/IzjvxScR5K
Flaco was freed from his cage at the zoo a little over a year ago by a vandal who breached a waist-high fence and cut a hole through a steel mesh cage. https://t.co/55EmFkeehv
Flaco spent his first 13 years primarily living for the benefit of people. As much as his story of survival and adaptation touched all of us, he was finally able to live for his own benefit in the past year. (Cont’d) https://t.co/dQrbZKEAME
The initial findings from a necropsy performed on Saturday are consistent with death due to "acute traumatic injury," the zoo said in an update after Flaco's death. https://t.co/eUZsZfaQ1X
Flaco escaped on Feb. 2, 2023, and stayed in New York City. On Thursday, he was found dead on the ground after colliding with a building in Manhattan. https://t.co/077BmbdQX6
We were saddened to hear about the passing of our neighbor Flaco, who captivated New Yorkers and reminded us of the beautiful wilderness that exists in our bustling urban landscape. Although he’s gone, his spirit will fly over NYC forever. https://t.co/caXSs2McoY
The Colombian-born artist Calicho Arevalo, who has painted at least four large Flaco murals, said he was touched by this story of “someone who was captive for over 12 years,” and when he got free, discovered that dreams can come true in this big metropolis https://t.co/10i9pWQCeo
To honor #flaco and the billions of birds lost in building collisions, I've pulled together a #sustainwhat webcast for Monday 2/26 at 1pm Eastern to explore ways to build a safer relationship between birds and human habitats. @carlsafina @eyeonthefly of @FLAPCanada and probably… https://t.co/RrPrLTW0xp https://t.co/TPqb9xCNgm
Mourners leave flowers, letters for Flaco at his favorite tree in Central Park https://t.co/a7KnuD52sZ https://t.co/ZjGydtTCB6
“To me, the folk hero is Flaco. It’s an amazing thing: He lives his whole life in captivity, and in a matter of days, he taught himself to fly and to hunt rats.” https://t.co/077BmbdQX6
In @nytopinion “The city loved Flaco because he represented so much of New York’s spirit and ideals, which we may not always live up to but we recognize on sight,” writes Zeynep Tufekci. https://t.co/ADne0E8sfv
Run the Jewels rapper El-P and actor Lou Diamond Phillips are among the many New Yorkers mourning the death of the city's beloved owl Flaco https://t.co/HjtL9GmEMQ