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The zoo visitors who saw a lion kill an owl can count themselves lucky The zoo visitors who saw a lion kill an owl can count themselves lucky
(about 3 hours later)
When I heard that Colchester zoo had lost one of its owls to one of its lions, my first thought was: "That could have been us, or any other zoo in the country." Although our falcon display takes place a good distance from the bears, wolves, lions and tigers, the birds do sometimes, become distracted and make forays into areas they shouldn't. When I heard that Colchester zoo had lost one of its owls to one of its lions, my first thought was: "That could have been us, or any other zoo in the country." Although our falcon display takes place a good distance from the bears, wolves, lions and tigers, the birds do sometimes become distracted and make forays into areas they shouldn't.
Fortunately, so far, they have always – eventually – returned to the capable gauntlet of David our falconer. Being on the edge of Dartmoor, where big buzzards and falcons are not uncommon other wild birds often fly nearby. I once watched one of our falcons become a speck in the sky a mile away while it checked out a potential mate or rival, and my greatest concern then was actually for our two meerkats, who are the natural prey of such birds – luckily they never forget it, constantly checking the sky and darting into their burrows even when a plane flies past.Fortunately, so far, they have always – eventually – returned to the capable gauntlet of David our falconer. Being on the edge of Dartmoor, where big buzzards and falcons are not uncommon other wild birds often fly nearby. I once watched one of our falcons become a speck in the sky a mile away while it checked out a potential mate or rival, and my greatest concern then was actually for our two meerkats, who are the natural prey of such birds – luckily they never forget it, constantly checking the sky and darting into their burrows even when a plane flies past.
From that distance looking down at the park, these two bite-sized mammals would have looked pretty appetizing to a large bird of prey flying in. It would have been a dramatic climax for David's display, though not the outcome we'd want, if the crowd had witnessed the falcon swoop down and carry off Timone or Sue in their talons, squeaking plaintively "I knew this would happen."From that distance looking down at the park, these two bite-sized mammals would have looked pretty appetizing to a large bird of prey flying in. It would have been a dramatic climax for David's display, though not the outcome we'd want, if the crowd had witnessed the falcon swoop down and carry off Timone or Sue in their talons, squeaking plaintively "I knew this would happen."
And we have had some unexpected animal run-ins ourselves. Our Siberian lynx, Karuna, caught three peacocks while she was in quarantine here, waiting to go into her enclosure. Because the quarantine is usually empty, the peacocks got used to roosting there, and took a while to adapt to the idea that there was suddenly a large, well equipped jumping predator living there, who specialises in taking birds in flight.And we have had some unexpected animal run-ins ourselves. Our Siberian lynx, Karuna, caught three peacocks while she was in quarantine here, waiting to go into her enclosure. Because the quarantine is usually empty, the peacocks got used to roosting there, and took a while to adapt to the idea that there was suddenly a large, well equipped jumping predator living there, who specialises in taking birds in flight.
Karuna's success with the peacocks may have actually tainted her relationship with her mate, Les. When they were first introduced, he gallantly caught a mouse and passed it through the fence for her. But she turned her nose up and walked away unimpressed, as if to say: "Bring me an emu and maybe we can talk." She's been remained pretty unimpressed with Les ever since.Karuna's success with the peacocks may have actually tainted her relationship with her mate, Les. When they were first introduced, he gallantly caught a mouse and passed it through the fence for her. But she turned her nose up and walked away unimpressed, as if to say: "Bring me an emu and maybe we can talk." She's been remained pretty unimpressed with Les ever since.
The most spectacular catch I wish I'd seen was when Josie, our lioness, caught a wild heron in flight, more than 10 feet off the ground. The heron was scouting for scraps from the lions' food, and thinking it was far enough up to be safe. Which, in normal circumstances it would be. But not above a lion enclosure. Several people saw her spontaneously grab her chance, instincts undimmed, and snatch the hapless scavenger out of the air in a flurry of feathers. Wow.The most spectacular catch I wish I'd seen was when Josie, our lioness, caught a wild heron in flight, more than 10 feet off the ground. The heron was scouting for scraps from the lions' food, and thinking it was far enough up to be safe. Which, in normal circumstances it would be. But not above a lion enclosure. Several people saw her spontaneously grab her chance, instincts undimmed, and snatch the hapless scavenger out of the air in a flurry of feathers. Wow.
Our cheetah, Sita, was also seen eating a rabbit a few months ago that nobody had given to her. Imagine its surprise while tentatively nibbling on new pastures when that spotty thing in the distance suddenly arrived at 70 miles an hour in a flurry of claws and teeth.Our cheetah, Sita, was also seen eating a rabbit a few months ago that nobody had given to her. Imagine its surprise while tentatively nibbling on new pastures when that spotty thing in the distance suddenly arrived at 70 miles an hour in a flurry of claws and teeth.
So, we have considered the eventuality that happened in Colchester could happen here. But we wouldn't consider it a calamity. While it could be distressing for visitors (a little boy cried) who hadn't planned on witnessing such a vivid display of nature in action it is a rare opportunity to see the natural world, unscripted, in action. There it was in the Colchester enclosure, literally red in tooth and claw. So, we have considered that what happened in Colchester could happen here. But we wouldn't consider it a calamity. While it could be distressing for visitors (a little boy cried) who hadn't planned on witnessing such a vivid display of nature in action it is a rare opportunity to see the natural world, unscripted, in action. There it was in the Colchester enclosure, literally red in tooth and claw.
So that was my second thought on hearing about it: "I wish I'd seen it." Not in a sadistic or ghoulish way; the bird died, and that was a shame. But this meant the lioness was also to express herself in a way we almost never witness in the flesh.So that was my second thought on hearing about it: "I wish I'd seen it." Not in a sadistic or ghoulish way; the bird died, and that was a shame. But this meant the lioness was also to express herself in a way we almost never witness in the flesh.
The justification for keeping any animal in captivity is ultimately educational, or for conservation purposes. The Colchester incident was slightly sad, and certainly shocking to behold, but ultimately it was an unforgettable educational experience. Everyone who witnessed it will always remember it, and the little boy who cried will be able to build a greater understanding of how the natural world works, in a positive way, if the people around him frame it as a positive learning experience they were actually privileged to witness.The justification for keeping any animal in captivity is ultimately educational, or for conservation purposes. The Colchester incident was slightly sad, and certainly shocking to behold, but ultimately it was an unforgettable educational experience. Everyone who witnessed it will always remember it, and the little boy who cried will be able to build a greater understanding of how the natural world works, in a positive way, if the people around him frame it as a positive learning experience they were actually privileged to witness.
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