Flaco Watch: Central Park Zoo’s Runaway Owl Is Finally Eating

More than 10 days have passed since one of Central Park’s most famous residents flew out of a chicken coop, causing concern among wildlife who feared the escaped bird would not be able to hunt on its own.

Flaco, the Eurasian eagle owl that previously called the Central Park Zoo home, crashed in the park after someone damaged the animal’s habitat, allowing the owl to fly free.

The short flight to Manhattan’s 5th Avenue aroused the surprise and attention of the audience. as well as the NYPDwho tried to catch the owl, but were unsuccessful. Flaco went back to Central Park.

Over the next week, alarm escalated as monitors tasked with tracking his movements were unable to catch the owl feeding in the wild.

“She probably won’t eat on her own in Central Park as she’s in captivity. She probably won’t have the skills needed to hunt, although she might.” -David Barrett, who maintains a popular birdwatching Twitter account. “Manhattan bird alert,” it said last week.

The good news finally arrived this past weekend after zoo staff finally saw Flaco hunt in the park.

“Several days ago we observed how he successfully hunts, catches and eats prey. We are seeing a rapid improvement in his flying skills and ability to confidently maneuver around the park,” a zoo spokesman said Sunday.

Max Pulcinelli, spokesman for the zoo, said restoration strategies have not worked well and its adaptation to wildlife means staff need to “rethink our approach.” But zoo staff and birdwatchers are confident that Flaco’s safety remains intact.

Flaco escaped on February 2 under cover of night after the bird exhibit was vandalized and its stainless steel mesh was cut.