Flaco the Owl Poses for Selfies in Manhattan, After Escaping the Central Park Zoo And Taking Residence on Park Avenue

He has been called the most famous owl in the world. People have been tweeting about him since his February escape from the Zoo. A vandal or vandals broke the bars to his enclosure, for reasons unkown, and Flaco (sometimes spelled Flacco) flew the coop.

Flaco is a male Eurasian eagle-owl who escaped his long-time enclosure at Central Park Zoo in New York City and took up residence in Central Park in February 2023. As an exotic species in North America, and one that was confined to a small enclosure in a zoo, his escape attracted significant public and press attention.

There were concerns for his ability to feed himself after being captive for so long, without the need to fly or hunt, but he was seen successfully catching and eating rats a week later. Attempts to recapture Flaco failed and a petition circulated advocating for him to remain free. Zoo officials ceased attempts to recapture him once it became clear he was eating on a regular basis and his flying skills improved, though there are other lingering concerns about the dangers for owls in the park, like rodenticide. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaco_(owl)

He frequently appears in posts to social media, as sightings of the big bird are common. "Flacco the owl is a free bird in Central Park for the time being. And he seems to like it, catching his own food and helping lower the rat population. But Flacco needs a mate, and they don't live here. Can we get a petition going?"

"Flaco the Eurasian Eagle-Owl post-flyout this Tuesday evening by the Central Park Zoo."