From: dannyb@panix.com   
      
   [press release from WCS]   
      
     WCS NEWS RELEASE   
   Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle Owl, Has Died   
      
   New York City, Feb. 23, 2024 - The following statement was released by   
   Central Park Zoo:   
      
   We are saddened to report that Flaco, the Eurasian eagle owl discovered   
   missing from the Central Park Zoo after his exhibit was vandalized just   
   over a year ago, is dead after an apparent collision with a building on   
   West 89th Street in Manhattan.   
      
   The downed owl was reported to the Wild Bird Fund (WBF) by people in the   
   building.  Staff from the WBF quickly responded, retrieved the   
   non-responsive owl and declared him dead shortly afterward.  The WBF   
   notified zoo staff, who picked up the bird and transported him to the   
   Bronx Zoo for necropsy.   
      
   The vandal who damaged Flaco's exhibit jeopardized the safety of the   
   bird and is ultimately responsible for his death. We are still hopeful   
   that the NYPD, which is investigating the vandalism, will ultimately make   
   an arrest.   
      
   Flaco frequently had been seen in and near Central Park and other   
   locations across Manhattan since Feb. 2, 2023. Our staff monitored him   
   throughout the year and were prepared to recover him if he showed any sign   
   of difficulty or distress.   
      
   We appreciate all the support and concern over the well-being of Flaco   
   throughout the past year and the many people who contacted us with   
   updates. We especially appreciate the quick response by the staff of the   
   Wild Bird Fund in their attempt to help Flaco.   
      
   We will provide additional information once a necropsy is performed and   
   further testing results are in.   
          ======   
   https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/a   
   ticleId/22056/Flaco-the-Eurasian-Eagle-Owl-Has-Died.aspx   
   _____________________________________________________   
   Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key   
    		     dannyb@panix.com   
   [to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
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