What The Witnesses Saw

John Kelly: A deer that jumped a wall at the National Zoo was fatally injured by two lions Sunday as dozens of startled spectators looked on.
— The Washington Post, Nov. 9

— The Washington Post, Nov. 9

Did I see it? Of course I saw it. Very disturbing, sir. Very disturbing. The lions' technique was all wrong. Paws when they should have used jaws; jaws when they should have used paws.

And did you see when one of the lions had the deer in her clutches and let it get away? That showed a lack of focus. She should have bitten the creature's neck, compressing the windpipe. But instead she looked away. Distracted by the crowd? Perhaps. But as I always say, when you are on the hunt, you cannot afford to be distracted. Eye of the tiger, my friend. Eye of the tiger.

All in all, not a great day for the great cats, although I must note that this episode proves my point that lions are overrated. King of the jungle indeed. Overfed bureaucrat of the jungle is more like it.

— Tiger, one cage over