NEW YORK — It’s been more than 10 days since one of Central Park’s most notable residents flew out of the roost, prompting concerns among wildlife officials who feared the escaped bird would be unable to hunt on its own.
Skinny, the Eurasian eagle owl who formerly made his home at the Central Park Zoo, has been crashing in the park ever since someone damaged the animal’s habitat, allowing it to fly free.
A short flight to Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue caught the surprise and attention of onlookers, as well as the New York Police, who tried to secure the owl but was ultimately unsuccessful. Flaco went back to Central Park.
In the following week, concern boiled over when observers tasked with tracking its movements failed to catch the owl eating in the wild.
“He probably won’t be eating alone in Central Park as he’s been a captive owl. He probably won’t have the skills to hunt, though he might,” David Barrett, who runs the popular birding Twitter account. “Manhattan Bird Alert,” he said last week.
The good news finally arrived this past weekend after zoo staff finally observed Flaco hunting in the park.
“Several days ago, we observed him successfully hunting, trapping and consuming prey. We have seen a rapid improvement in his flight skills and his ability to confidently maneuver around the park,” a zoo spokesman said Sunday.
Max Pulsinelli, the zoo’s spokesman, said recovery strategies have failed and their adaptation to nature means staff need to “rethink our approach.” But between the zoo staff and the “outside” birders, they are sure 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.
