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Flaco the New York Owl Is Not As Free As A Bird, But Neither Are We
A Central Park life means potentially lethal meals of poisoned rodents
Roaring Rivers
Torrents, currents, and ripples by Christyl Rivers, PhD.
Birders, look out for Central Park Carrion…
It’s a lovely story about a fabulous owl, Flaco, who escaped from captivity. He is sweeping through the trees, standing tall over the puny humans, gobbling down mice, rats, squirrels, and birds without having to wait for the time clock of his former jailers for his yummy, rat-goo.
Yet, I am worried because although animals can be dumb, human beings are dumber. Dumb people tend to pile up their trash, attract rodents and wildlife, then put toxins all over the place to exterminate the problem.
Every day, lots of pets die because so many people use pesticides. Which, duh, are poison. Owls and other animals hunt by watching movement, but prey animals slowed down by poison are easier to catch.
A couple of years ago, I found a poisoned kitty having a severe seizure right outside her family’s home. At their door, I told them to get her to a vet, but being poor (yet rich with stray cats) I doubt they did.