A flurry of attention has resurfaced around the Central Park Zoo's one-time resident, Flaco the owl, nearly a year after the Eurasian eagle-owl passed away following his daring escape. David Gessner's latest book, The Book of Flaco: The World's Most Famous Bird, delves into Flaco's adventure and the impact he had on New Yorkers, offering more than just a tale but a reflection on the interaction between urban life and the wild. Available online and at local bookstores, Gessner's book includes insights from Flaco experts and a collection of 32 photos highlighting key moments from the bird's life, according to PIX11.
Meanwhile, birders Jaqueline Emery and David Lei have introduced their own visual narrative with Finding Flaco: Our Year with New York City's Beloved Owl, which chronicles Flaco's year in freedom post-zoo escape, and, it features over 200 photographs accompanied by detailed narratives of his transformation. In a statement obtained by Hyperallergic, the pair shares their personal encounters and observations of Flaco's life in the city – from rooftops to park trees. It's a documentation of an urban raptor's odyssey, one that ended abruptly after Flaco collided with a building. The toxicology report cited exposure to rodenticides, an issue sparking debate over their usage in cities.
His death led to an outpouring of emotion that manifested in illustrations, letters at a memorial tree in Central Park, and public art – a stark signal of the mark Flaco left on the city's heart. Hyperallergic reported that Lei and Emery portrayed Flaco as "an individual with a unique personality" and noted their eagerness to portray the life of a curious, free-spirited animal finding his way in a bustling metropolis.
Legal issues emerged in the eagle-owl's wake, with Flaco's death heightening awareness and influencing legislation related to urban wildlife, building design, and rat control methods. As PIX11 notes, Gessner emphasizes how Flaco served as a catalyst in these discussions, by enabling New Yorkers to glimpse beyond their human-centric views and consider the broader environmental implications. Gessner's book presentations are drawing crowds at Barnes & Noble on the Upper West Side, and Brooklyn's Greenlight Bookstore, where the conversation spans from Flaco's life to broader environmental challenges facing birds in urban environments.
.jpg){kind=link}