New York City residents, both in life and in death, have been captivated by the saga of Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl, whose escapades were closely followed on social media, in Central Park, and within Upper West Side courtyards.
Following Flaco’s untimely demise, a makeshift memorial in Central Park became a focal point for mourners. Now, some enthusiasts are choosing to permanently commemorate the iconic owl through ink on their skin.
Charlie Connell, reflecting on Flaco’s exploits, remarked, “I mean, he got out. He did a jailbreak, and then he went and lived his best life for a while.”
At East River Tattoo in Greenpoint, Flaco Flash Day unfolded on Thursday, offering individuals the chance to adorn themselves with pre-designed Flaco tattoos for $150, with all proceeds directed towards the Wild Bird Fund. The event drew eager participants like Camille Zentner, who expressed, “I’ve just been very moved by his freedom and then by his death and how he was symbolic for so many of us.”
Flaco gained notoriety after his escape from the Central Park Zoo in January 2023, during which he adapted to the challenges of life in the wild, demonstrating his ability to hunt and navigate extensive distances. Tragically, his journey came to an end on Feb. 23, marked by trauma to his chest and toxic levels of rat poison discovered during a subsequent necropsy.
Zentner reflected on the symbolism of Flaco’s story, stating, “I think it’s the idea that he was — I know this is controversial — but trapped for so long, and not able to exercise his abilities and his kind of innate desires. And then he was freed and he could survive and I think that’s a lot of what we feel and love about our city, the resilience.”
Duke Riley, proprietor of East River Tattoo, emphasized the resonance of Flaco’s tale within the urban landscape, noting, “I think it’s something that’s still really on people’s minds and that there’s some sadness about. And I think that having this has been a chance for people to commemorate Flaco and make sure that he’s not forgotten.”
In response to Flaco’s legacy, City Councilmembers are contemplating legislative action in his honor. Proposed legislation, dubbed Flaco’s Law, aims to promote alternative methods such as birth control to curb the rat population, thus preventing the inadvertent poisoning of local raptors including hawks and native owls.
Despite Flaco’s status as a non-native species, his impact on New Yorkers and the broader ecological conversation has sparked initiatives to ensure his memory endures, echoing the resilient spirit of the city itself.