One of the more interesting notes from the investigation:
Toxicology tests also revealed trace amounts of DDE, a breakdown product of the pesticide DDT, which has been banned in the United States since the early 1970s. Although the levels detected did not contribute to Flaco’s death, the society said, the finding was a “reminder of the long legacy of DDT and its dire effects on wild bird populations.”
Poisons are a huge problem for birds of prey. They make weakened animals dying of poison easy to catch, and it just accumulates in the bird. Having so many rescues in my news feed, I've seen videos of some of their last moments after being overcome by poison. Poisoning is cruel and indiscriminate.
The use of rat poisons is halted in the city’s parks during nesting season, from February through August, or when a breeding pair of birds of prey is present in or near a park or park area, according to a Parks Department spokesman.
Outside parks, though, such restrictions generally do not apply, and the use of rat poisons is widespread.
I looked up the pigeon herpesvirus he caught from eating infected pigeons and the major issue caused is swelling of the respiratory system. Birds have the highest oxygen requirements of any vertebrate, so this is also a huge problem for a bird.
Flaco was born in captivity and was raised to live protected by people and we let him down. It is romantic to humanize his adventures outdoors, but this was always going to be his fate once he was let out. I'm glad he went swiftly compared to what was going to happen, but he could have contently lived another almost 30 years had he not been "liberated."
He was born to teach us the value of his life, and I hope we at least get that much from what happened to him. 😔