A documentary titled 'Wild Inside', chronicling the year-long freedom of Flaco the Eurasian eagle-owl in New York City, is set to premiere. Flaco escaped from the Central Park Zoo in February 2023 after his enclosure mesh was deliberately cut.
Flaco survived as a free bird in Manhattan for over a year, learning to hunt rats. Zoo officials suspended recapture efforts after two weeks because he became self-sufficient. He gained a cult following, with fans getting tattoos in his honor.
Flaco died after crashing into a building on West 89th Street. A necropsy found he had been weakened by pigeon herpes virus and had four types of anticoagulants common in rodenticide.
The New York City Council approved 'Flaco's Law', establishing a pilot program to deploy rat contraceptives instead of poison.
Director Penny Lane said she felt compelled to tell Flaco's story.