Birds face multiple risks, including collisions with buildings and poisoning that affects their cognitive abilities.
Flaco, the owl who defied expectations by learning to hunt and survive in the wilds of New York City, tragically met his end after flying into a building near Central Park. The Wildlife Conservation Society will conduct a necropsy to determine the exact cause of his death, with initial findings suggesting acute traumatic injury as the main factor.
The impact on Flaco’s body resulted in substantial hemorrhage, with some bleeding behind the left eye. Despite this, his body condition was good, with a weight of 4.1 pounds. The Central Park Zoo, where Flaco had lived, highlighted the issue of bird strikes in urban areas, estimating that nearly a quarter of a million birds die annually in New York City due to collisions with buildings.
Further investigations will focus on identifying any underlying factors that may have contributed to Flaco’s death. Testing on tissue samples will include toxicology tests to check for exposure to substances like rodenticides, as well as screening for avian flu and other diseases. Results from these tests are expected to be available in the coming weeks.
The tragic loss of Flaco serves as a reminder of the dangers that urban environments pose to wild bird populations, with bird strikes being a significant threat. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding Flaco’s death will help raise awareness about the impact of human activities on wildlife in urban settings.
Source: The NY Times
