FLACO TOTE
FLACO TOTE
Flaco, which means “Skinny” in Spanish, was hatched at a North Carolina bird park in 2010, where he was named, and moved to Central Park Zoo when he was still a hatchling. Flaco was a Eurasian Eagle Owl, one of the largest and most powerful owls in the world, known for its striking orange eyes, powerful build, and deep, resonant hoot. Females can grow to a total length of 30 in, with a wingspan of 6 feet 2 inches. Flaco was held in an enclosure the size of a bus stop in the Temperate Territory part of the Central Park Zoo for 12 years. Flaco escaped on February 2, 2023, after an unknown person or persons cut open his cage. Released into the wilds of New York City, Flaco became more than a fugitive: he became a myth in motion, carving silent arcs above the skyline, roosting in Gothic towers, surviving in defiance of expert predictions. After living one year in Central Park Flaco was found dead at the base of a building having flown into a window.
Flaco’s passing deeply affected many, and his story left a significant impact. Hundreds flocked to central park to leave offerings in memorial.
