I’m disappointed to learn of the decision of the Wildlife Conservation Society to leave Flaco out in Central Park for the time being. I would have liked to have seen a different outcome. While it’s been wonderful to see that he has adapted to the park, and managing well, I don’t think it is good for the other birds of the park. I also worry that life as a celebrity bird isn’t any better than being in the zoo.

On Saturday, rather than let him roost quietly, there was always a large, noisy crowd watching him. He hooted while I was there in the afternoon, and he didn’t seem to be getting much sleep.

I find it frustrating that would could have been a teaching moment to let folks know about how to report and watch owls has been lost. He’s now being promoted as the “Next Big Thing” and a tourist attraction.