Dozens of sad fans of Flaco, the Eurasian eagle owl, gathered in New York on Sunday to say goodbye to the beloved celebrity creature who became a source of inspiration and joy to many as he flew around Manhattan after someone let him out of the zoo enclosure.
A memorial featuring speeches, songs and poems was held late in the afternoon in Central Park, 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. Tests conducted by zoologists concluded that he suffered traumatic impact injuries, but further tests are planned to determine whether he may have been ill.
His death was a heartbreaking end for birdwatchers who documented his daily movements and for the legions of admirers who followed him, as people posted photos and videos of the majestic owl with a wingspan of nearly 6 feet perched on tree branches, fence posts, fire escapes and water towers, as well as his hours of whistling.
“With all of this difficult time going on around the world, this bird has really become a symbol of hope and has brought so many of us together,” Breanne Delgado said during the meeting.
David Lei, an avid birdwatcher in the city, said Flaco’s loss was difficult to put into words. He said the owl suffered the same fate as many other birds in Manhattan: flying into the false windows of tall buildings.
“Flaco was larger than life and is leaving behind a legacy to match,” Lei said. “I thank him today, as every day I saw him, for the joy, awe and wonder he brought inspired in us during his journey.”
Attendees also advocated for new laws aimed at preventing birds from flying into buildings and curbing the use of rat poison that larger birds can ingest while eating prey. Efforts are also underway to place a statue of Flaco in Central Park.
Flaco was freed from his cage at the Central Park Zoo just over a year ago by a vandal who broke through a waist-high fence and cut a hole in a steel mesh cage. The owl had arrived at the zoo as a newborn 13 years earlier.
Zoo officials and his fans were initially worried about his survival, but he soon proved adept at catching rats and other prey. The zoo later suspended efforts to recapture him after failed attempts.
After his death, tributes poured in from all over the world.
Police are still trying to arrest whoever let him out of his enclosure.