Flaco, the beloved Eurasian eagle-owl that captivated the hearts of New Yorkers, tragically met his end last Friday after colliding with a building on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
The news of Flaco's demise sent shockwaves through the city, prompting a renewed push for legislation aimed at protecting avian life in urban environments.
FLACO Act: Safeguarding Avian Lives in NYC
In honor of Flaco's memory, New York lawmakers have decided to rename the proposed Bird Safe Buildings Act to the FLACO Act, an acronym for "Feathered Lives Also Count."
This legislation, initially introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal in May 2023, aims to mandate bird-friendly designs in new or significantly altered state buildings, particularly focusing on windows.
This move comes in response to the alarming statistics revealing that in New York City alone, between 90,000 and 230,000 birds perish annually due to collisions with buildings, and over a billion nationwide succumb to similar accidents each year.
"I'm gutted at the death of Flaco the owl, who delighted countless New Yorkers through his presence in Central Park," expressed Senator Hoylman-Sigal. "His death underscores the urgency of enacting sensible laws to prevent such tragic window strikes, which claim millions of birds' lives each year."
The FLACO Act, along with another proposed legislation known as the Dark Skies Protection Act, aims to mitigate the threats faced by avian species in urban areas.
The Dark Skies Protection Act seeks to reduce light pollution by implementing measures such as covering non-essential outdoor lighting, motion activation, or enforcing lights out between 11 PM and 5 AM. These initiatives are crucial in safeguarding migratory birds, whose navigation can be disrupted by artificial lighting, leading to fatal collisions with structures.
Jessica Wilson, Executive Director of NYC Audubon, emphasized the significance of these legislative efforts.
"Birds are a critical part of a healthy ecosystem, and Birds like Flaco remind us of the magic of these animals," she stated. "The simple acts of turning lights off at night and making windows safer for birds will ensure a better environment for both birds and people."
Assembly Member Anna Kelles echoed this sentiment, highlighting the preventable nature of Flaco's tragic demise.
"If we had simply taken the small effort to add window treatments to our buildings, we could have prevented his death and continued our collective awe and hope that his freedom gave to us all," remarked Kelles.
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Remembering Famed Owl's Impact on NYC
Flaco reportedly struck a building on West 89th Street in Manhattan. The residents of the building noticed the injured owl and notified the Wild Bird Fund (WBF).
WBF staff swiftly arrived, but despite their efforts, Flaco remained unresponsive. Regrettably, they soon pronounced him deceased. The bird was 14 years old.
In February of last year, Flaco managed to flee from Central Park Zoo when someone cut a hole through his cage. Despite multiple efforts to capture him, Flaco remained elusive.
A petition circulated, urging authorities to let him roam freely. Eventually, zoo officials halted their pursuit as Flaco demonstrated regular feeding habits and improved flying abilities.
To many residents, Flaco symbolized freedom and swiftly captured the hearts of New Yorkers, becoming a sensation in the city.
Flaco's untimely death serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address the threats faced by avian species in urban environments.
As New Yorkers mourn the loss of their beloved owl, efforts to enact bird-friendly legislation gain renewed momentum, honoring Flaco's legacy and striving to create safer skies for all feathered inhabitants of the city.
