Written by Kenn Sava. (None of these Photos are mine. If they are yours, please contact me for credit.)
The throng hoping for a Flaco sighting in the Park in the early days after his escape last year. Photo- goodmorningamerica.com
If you live here, and possibly if you don’t, you might be glued to the latest news and social media updates for sightings of Flaco, the male Eurasian Eagle-Owl, who escaped from the Central Park Zoo after his habitat was vandalized in February, 2023. I am, too. In spite of EVERYTHING else going on in the world, it’s a story that seems to have captivated a lot of folks, probably for many reasons.
After early attempts to recapture him were abandoned due to the public outcry, Park Zoo officials opted to let him live as a free bird in the Park. He’s been on his own for 11 months now.
“Yes, I’m cashin’ in this ten-cent life
For another one”*
Shortly after his escape. Photo- goodmorningamerica.com
Of course, he drew immediate and large crowds (as shown up top), including countless Photographers. To date, I haven’t seen any clips of him in flight, where his 6-foot wingspan must be breathtaking to see. Nonetheless, the countless Photos I have seen reveal him to be extraordinarily beautiful, particularly his riveting orange eyes.
“Everywhere around me
I see jealousy and mayhem
Because no men have all their peace of mind
To carry them”*
Photo- newsbrig.com
Ok. I’m biased. My last name means “Owl.” Still, his is a story with wings! People seemed to love the idea of the “caged-bird set free.” I worried. But, as long as he stayed in the Park, he was relatively safe (though another Owl was hit and killed by a truck there) because they don’t feed the rats, a staple of his diet (another reason we love him) poison that could harm him. Then, Flaco suddenly began making trips out of the Park! While this led to more spectacular photo ops, it raised the worry, and the danger, quotient exponentially.
Why did he leave? The Park is as close to “nature” as we have, though it’s all man-made.
New York City’s other Owl. A sighting on the Upper West Side. Photographer unknown.
After living in the confines of the Zoo for 10 years, to suddenly be thrust out into the “wilds” of Manhattan has got to be like being dropped off on another planet would be for us. Like all New Yorkers, and he is certainly one, he’s on his own out here. Somehow, 11 months later, he’s survived on his wits, like many other New Yorkers- this one included.
I never through I’d see a 2 foot tall Owl walking the same streets I do at night, but I’m ready! Let’s hit the town! Photographer unknown.
As more information came to light, the poignancy of it all hit another level. Apparently, Flaco began going further afield searching for a mate.
What could be more human? More universal? Who couldn’t be moved by that?
Being a rare bird- 100,000 to 500,000, total, are believed to exist, and being THIS far from Eurasia, where most of them are, his chances of finding one are not good, to say the least.
Looking for love in the East Village. I’ve been there, man! *Photographer unknown.
When I saw this incredible Photo someone took in the East Village during his sojourn there, I found it heart-breaking. It speaks to me of the extremes he’s gone to. It also speaks to all he’s up against in his search.
“When the joker tried to tell me
I could cut it in this rube town
When he tried to hang that sign on me
I said ‘Take it down'”*
Pounding the pavement, watching out for “the man,” eyes on the prize. Photo- amsterdamnews.com
So, where to with this story?
My read is that the larger public would freak out if the Park tried to recapture Flaco. I wouldn’t. I’d be relieved and I think quite a few others would be, too. The possible bad outcome to this story is too tragic to think about. So, as a passionate Owl lover, myself, I can’t help wonder if an alternative might be for the experts to scour the world’s zoos, forests and jungles for a potential mate for this special Owl. It’s the least we can do for him!
Fatherhood might be the only outcome the larger public would accept.
Then, the lines to see him at The Zoo, would be longer than to see Van Gogh’s Cypresses.
From newyorker.com
And, instead of worrying about him, or listening for the sound of a large Owl landing on my window sill, I can sleep in peace.
“Well I don’t really care
If it’s wrong of if it’s right
But until my ship comes in
I’ll live night by night”*
*Photo by the Central Park Zoo
Happy New Year, brother New Yorker! Hoping you’re safe and wishing you LOVE and every happiness in the New Year!
*-Soundtrack for this piece is “Night By Night” by Steely Dan from their album, Pretzel Logic. The title of this piece is adapted from their song “Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)” from Can’t Buy A Thrill. As in somewhere inside me lies a charmer…
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