The Central Park Conservancy has announced that a Barred Owl – a species of bird which in late 2020 started getting some media attention for taking up residency in Central Park – sadly passed away early Friday morning.
“It’s with a heavy heart we share that a barred owl, a beloved Central Park resident, passed away early this morning,” the Conservancy wrote on Twitter. “Flying low, likely in search of a meal, the barred owl made contact with a Conservancy maintenance vehicle at approximately 2:30am. Conservancy staff immediately reported the incident and Urban Park Rangers were contacted. The barred owl’s presence in Central Park brought so much joy, reminding all of us that the Park is a vital greenspace for all New Yorkers, including the wildlife that call it home.”
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The Barred Owl started gaining prestige in October 2020 when Manhattan Bird Alert tweeted a video of one cleaning itself at The Loch in Central Park, located at 102nd Street.
The BARRED OWL took a break from hunting to enjoy a lively preening session in the Central Park Loch earlier today. pic.twitter.com/QvzF87o4gP
— Manhattan Bird Alert (@BirdCentralPark) October 9, 2020
Soon after this initial sighting, another one was spotted in Riverside Park.
Photo by @gigpalileo
Fans were quick to offer their condolences following the Central Park Conservancy’s announcement.
We must stop putting poison down in Central and Riverside Parks. The owls and falcons that bless our parks and neighborhoods eat the squirrels and rats that have ingested the poisoned bait. I know they’re saying that cause of death was contact with a Park’s vehicle on the move at 2:30 AM which in and of itself sounds like malarkey. As if any Parks employee is working that late….and if so, why?
What if the vehicle was just parked…
How about a little direct language here: he died because he hit a vehicle. Personally I’d like to see fewer of these vehicles in the park–use a bike or walk!
i think you mean he got hit by a vehicle