New York City residents are grieving the loss of Flaco, the beloved celebrity owl, who tragically died from a traumatic impact after reportedly flying into a building. Zoologists have confirmed the cause of death, with further testing underway to determine if the Eurasian eagle-owl may have been sick.
Flaco's final hours have left his fans across the city devastated. Despite a life in captivity, Flaco managed to fend for himself, earning admiration for his resilience. Authorities are still searching for the individual responsible for releasing him from his enclosure at the Central Park Zoo a year ago.
The necropsy revealed that Flaco was in good physical condition, successfully catching prey despite lacking hunting experience due to his upbringing at the zoo. Weighing 1.89 kilograms (4.1 pounds), Flaco's weight was consistent with his last measurement at the zoo.
Tragically, Flaco was discovered dead on a sidewalk in Manhattan's Upper West Side after colliding with a building. The necropsy report highlighted substantial hemorrhage in his body cavity, indicating the main impact was to his body.
The Central Park Zoo has attributed Flaco's death to the individual who tampered with his enclosure. However, they are also exploring the possibility of illness as a contributing factor and plan to provide an update in the coming weeks.
The investigation will involve microscopic examination of tissue samples, toxicology tests for potential exposures to toxins, and screening for infectious diseases like West Nile Virus and Avian Influenza.
Eulogies from Flaco's admirers have poured in, reflecting on his impact on the community. Speculation about the urban threats to wildlife that may have played a role in his death has also surfaced.
Reports from fans in the Upper West Side noted that Flaco had been unusually quiet in the days leading up to his passing, leading to theories that he may have been unwell.
