In the urban expanse of New York City, a congregation of lamenting enthusiasts for Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl, convened on a somber Sunday to bid farewell to the cherished avian luminary. Flaco, who had soared above the cityscape of Manhattan after an inadvertent release from his zoo enclosure, had become a wellspring of inspiration and delight for many.

An evening memorial unfolded in Central Park, beneath what event organizers denoted as Flaco’s preferred oak tree. The late owl’s demise occurred on February 23, as he was discovered lifeless on the Upper West Side, evidently colliding with a structure. Zoological examinations revealed traumatic impact injuries, prompting further investigations to ascertain the potential influence of underlying ailments.

This tragic conclusion left ornithology enthusiasts, who meticulously chronicled Flaco’s daily odysseys, and a legion of admirers in melancholy. Devotees shared visuals of the majestic owl, boasting an expansive nearly 6-foot wingspan, perching on varied locations – tree limbs, fence posts, fire escapes, and water towers, accompanied by hours of resonant hooting.

Breanne Delgado, expressing sentiments at the gathering, remarked, “Amidst the global challenges, this bird evolved into a beacon of hope, unifying many of us.” David Lei, a dedicated city birder, struggled to articulate the loss of Flaco, emphasizing the owl’s fate, mirroring that of numerous Manhattan birds ensnared by the deceptive façade of towering edifices.

Lei eulogized Flaco’s larger-than-life persona, leaving behind a legacy commensurate with his grandeur. “I express gratitude today, as I did each encounter, for the joy, awe, and wonder he infused in us during his journey,” Lei added.

Advocacy for legislative measures aimed at averting avian collisions with buildings and mitigating the usage of rodenticides harmful to larger birds resonated during the ceremony. Initiatives were set in motion to erect a commemorative statue of Flaco within Central Park.

Flaco’s emancipation from the Central Park Zoo, orchestrated by a trespassing vandal, occurred just over a year prior. This act involved breaching a waist-high barrier and cutting through a steel mesh enclosure. Initially fraught with concern over his survival, Flaco showcased prowess in hunting rats and other prey, leading the zoo to abandon recapture endeavors. Global tributes poured in posthumously, and authorities continue to pursue the perpetrator responsible for the owl’s release from captivity.