new york — 

The tale of love in New York starts with an act of sabotage committed by a criminal.

Last year, on a Friday night, an individual trespassed into the Central Park Zoo by climbing over a waist-high fence. After gaining access, the person proceeded to cut through a steel mesh cage, allowing Flaco, a magnificent Eurasian eagle-owl who had been brought to the zoo as a young bird 13 years prior, to escape.

Without hesitation, Flaco ran away from the park, quickly glancing at people and law enforcement on Fifth Avenue before taking flight into the darkness.

Flaco has gained a lot of popularity in the city since his daring escape a year ago. During the day, he can often be found relaxing in courtyards and parks or sitting on fire escapes in Manhattan. At night, he can be heard hooting from water towers and hunting the plentiful rats in the city.

Experts were surprised to find that Flaco, an apex predator with a wingspan of almost 6 feet (2 meters), is thriving in the city. Despite spending his entire life in captivity, he has displayed skills that were previously doubted, fearlessly exploring new areas and surprising locals by appearing at their windows.

According to Jacqueline Emery, one of many birdwatchers who record the owl’s daily activities and share them with his large following online, he was considered the underdog from the beginning and many doubted his ability to survive. The people of New York have a special connection to him due to his tenacity.

However, as Flaco begins his second year in the public eye, it may be simple to overlook the fact that his release is the outcome of a crime that has surprisingly remained unsolved.

This was an act of wrongdoing.

The burglary occurred near the joint office of the Parks Department and the Central Park Zoo in New York City, close to a surveillance camera.

However, there is no public information about the crime as the zoo halted their attempts to recapture Flaco in February 2023 and both the police and zoo authorities have refused to disclose any evidence they may have gathered on a potential suspect.

The zoo has privately attempted to downplay the description of Flaco’s past living conditions. He was housed in a small structure, similar in size to a minivan, adorned with a painted mountain scene. The space was only slightly wider than Flaco’s wingspan when extended.

According to documents obtained via a request for Freedom of Information, employees at the zoo advised the Parks Department against labeling Flaco as “raised in captivity” and also suggested avoiding using the word “escape.”

In an email, the zoo’s former communications director, Max Pulsinelli, stated that the responsibility is being placed on the animal instead of the perpetrator. He also referred to the incident as a criminal act.

Without any official details, there are many speculations about the crime – was it a silly act of youth or a failed attempt at stealing an owl? For those concerned about Flaco’s outcome, the most logical theory is that he was released for ideological motives.

Supporters of the animal liberation ideology highlight the apparent intentionality of the offense, as well as the restrictions of the owl’s small living space.

Nicole Barrantes, the wildlife campaign manager for World Animal Protection, believes that it is possible that the person who started the petition to release Flaco from the zoo was someone who cares deeply for him. She stated that his living conditions were unacceptable and heartbreaking.

Activists have been known to resort to break-ins and vandalism in their efforts to liberate animals. The North American Animal Liberation Press Office, an anonymous online database, frequently reports on such incidents.

According to Jerry Vlasak, the spokesperson for the group, nobody has taken credit for Flaco’s escape. He mentioned, “We did not receive any messages, but we are definitely pleased that it occurred.”

A representative from the Wildlife Conservation Society, which has managed the zoo since 1988, did not address the allegations that Flaco’s zoo enclosure was insufficient.

The zoo released a statement stating that the actions were illegal and endangered the bird’s safety. They are currently keeping track of Flaco’s well-being and will resume trying to find him if he appears to be struggling or in distress.

There are dangers present within the urban environment.

Despite being skilled at hunting, Flaco is still vulnerable to various dangers in the city. One of the greatest risks he faces is accidentally consuming rat poison through a poisoned rat. Sadly, in 2021, another beloved owl from Central Park, Barry, died after being hit by a truck. It is believed that she had ingested a lethal amount of rat poison, which could have affected her ability to fly.

Suzanne Shoemaker, director of the Owl Moon Raptor Center in Maryland, warned that all risks are still present. She noted that the bird has displayed impressive survival skills so far, but also acknowledged that luck has played a role.

Instead of staying in Central Park, Flaco has recently been exploring the more urban areas of Manhattan. Some people have suggested that he may be searching for a partner, but this is highly unlikely since Eurasian eagle owls are not typically found in North America.

Tales of zoo animals escaping within the busiest city in the country have always fascinated the public and sparked demands for changes.

After a string of bird robberies and cruel animal attacks in the 1970s, officials mandated prompt enhancements to security and alterations to certain enclosures at the zoo. The city’s parks commissioner at the time referred to the zoo as “Rikers Island for animals” due to its inadequate living conditions.

Several years after the incident, a group of vandals stole a boa constrictor and a parrot named “Peanuts.” According to officials, the animals were taken for the purpose of “voodoo rituals.”

The zoo has undergone significant redesigning since then.

Wildlife organizations have consistently cautioned about the use of owls in ritualistic practices, specifically targeting birds with noticeable ear tufts like Flaco. The Eurasian eagle-owl is also frequently utilized in falconry, fetching up to $3,000 in sales.

However, there have been theories that Flaco may have been intentionally chosen for monetary or religious reasons. However, this speculation is contradicted by the fact that he exited his damaged cage and remained unharmed in the busy city environment.

During a recent evening on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, David Barrett, a devoted observer of Flaco, expressed mixed feelings when questioned about how New Yorkers should view the crime that propelled the bird to fame.

Barrett, the operator of the X account Manhattan Bird Alert, shared that Flaco is their chosen folk hero. They constantly update the bird’s location in real time. Barrett admires Flaco’s incredible ability to adapt to captivity and quickly learn how to fly and hunt rats.

Barrett tilted his head up, straining to hear the familiar hoot that had reverberated through Broadway on countless nights.

He stated that it is not our responsibility to attempt to solve crimes. We are simply happy that he is present.

Source: voanews.com