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.”