"Tragic Death of Flaco the Owl: Zoo Reveals Necropsy Results and Wildlife Deaths in New York City"

Flaco, the Eurasian eagle owl who escaped from Central Park Zoo, died from severe herpesvirus and exposure to rat poison, according to a post-mortem necropsy report released by the Wildlife Conservation Society. The report revealed that the owl had contracted the virus from eating pigeons and had been exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides commonly used for rat control in New York City. The report also found trace amounts of DDE, a breakdown product of the pesticide DDT, but it did not contribute to his death. Flaco's death was ultimately attributed to a combination of factors including infectious disease, toxin exposures, and traumatic injuries, highlighting the hazards faced by wild birds, especially in an urban setting.