*Update, cause of death, bit of good news* - re: Flaco Owl, the NYC zoo escapee, collided with a building, R.i.P.

[UTUSN]

Last edited Sun Feb 25, 2024, 02:58 PM - Edit history (3)

UPDATE, but was living well up to then, no head trauma, no broken bones, sounds like was speeding and had the wind knocked out. ********QUOTE*****
https://nypost.com/2024/02/25/us-news/beloved-nyc-owl-flacos-official-cause-of-death-revealed/

Beloved NYC owl Flaco’s official cause of death revealed

.... ... “acute traumatic injury,” ... ....

Pathologists at the Bronx Zoo found that Flaco’s 4.1-pound body absorbed most of the fatal impact, saying there was “substantial hemorrhage under the sternum and in the back of the body cavity around the liver.”

Flaco appeared to be spared head trauma, although there was a “small amount of bleeding” behind his left eye, the report said.

None of the owl’s bones were fractured or broken, according to the preliminary findings.

The necropsy found that Flaco had been doing well before his death, having lost only an ounce or two since his escape, and keeping up his health with “good muscling and adequate fat stores.” ...

*********UNQUOTE*******

- ORIGINAL Notice: -
He moonlighted part time as a peeping tom at apartment windows.

*********QUOTE*****
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/24/1233703492/flaco-new-york-owl-dies-building-collision

Flaco, the beloved New York owl, died after colliding with a building

.... Flaco fled the Central Park Zoo last year in February after someone cut the stainless steel mesh on his exhibit.

At first, zoo officials worried how Flaco would fare in the concrete jungle. Eurasian eagle-owls can go weeks without food, but when they are ready to eat, they tend to go for small mammals like rats. While there's plenty of those in New York, some feared that Flaco would accidentally consume rat poison.

Despite those concerns, Flaco appeared to thrive in the city. He soared and hooted with no sign of struggle and turned busy New Yorkers into curious bird watchers. ....

****UNQUOTE******

[XanaDUer2]

1. Terrible nt

[debm55]

2. That's sad.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Celebrity owl Flaco dies a year after becoming beloved by New York City for zoo escape

Link to tweet

[electric_blue68]

4. :( RIP Flaco... Looks like he made a pretty good life for himself. What's extra poignant is...

Last edited Sat Feb 24, 2024, 10:39 PM - Edit history (1)

is that a friend had just emailed me a recent NYT's article about Flaco's year of freedom. It was very nicely digitally presented, too.

I as a NYC'r was delighted to read of his adventures.

They thought at first very soon after he escaped that he looked startled, and afraid. However after a few days he looked more relaxed.
They had summised either a vehicular accident, or eating a poisoned rat would eventually be his demise.

People reported a large owl on the ground. He was recovered by a wildlife rescue team.
The zoo will do a necropsy.

Usually owls don't have trouble landing. Did somehow this building be really different from the fire escapes, roof facades, window ledges, or A/Cs he's been perching on?

Or as someone posited - he might have eaten a poisoned rat that affected his nervous system, or perception.

Poor Flaco.

[UTUSN]

5. self-K, but no self-R - for the Update

[Donkees]

6. Bird Group Thread:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/120812728

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. Tributes to Flaco

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[UTUSN]

8. He felt at home