HORRIFIED visitors watched as a lion savaged an owl which flew into its enclosure at Colchester Zoo.
Ash the barn owl was killed and eaten by a lion on Saturday, after leaving her handler during a display.
A lion seized the owl’s body and ate it in front of shocked onlookers.
Visitor Gavin Duthie, of Propellor Way, Colchester, witnessed the incident with two-year-old son, Daniel.
He said: “Daniel was in tears, along with most of the people. Women and children were screaming. It was over within seconds. It’s their nature. I used it to teach Daniel lions are not fluffy animals. He was upset, but we’ll definitely be back.”
Alex Downing, zoo marketing director, said: “Everyone is extremely upset, but there was nothing we could do.”
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