Yatsey the vulture is killed by a lion in front of horrified families at zoo
A VuLTuRE died after being attacked by a lion in front of horrified zoo spectators.
The 22-year-old Eurasian griffon called Yatsey was flying during a public display at Colchester Zoo when he diverted from his usual course and landed on netting above the lion enclosure.
He became trapped and visitors watched as a lioness jumped up, dragged the large bird down and savaged him.
Keepers raced to get the lions into their inner enclosure and rescued Yatsey. However, he died later on Sunday from shock.
A witness said the wind blew the vulture on to the top of the lion enclosure.
The onlooker added: ‘It’s unbelievable, really. We were watching the falcon display and the trainer said, ‘‘We’re going to have to try something different with the vulture today because the winds are blowing in a different direction’’.
‘It just carried on flying off and you could hear the trainer saying ‘‘Where’s he going?’’
‘The next thing, a female lion just jumps up and grabs it and rips it through the net. I could see it in her mouth.’
In a statement on its website, the zoo described his injuries: ‘Yatsey had sustained a puncture wound which looked treatable and keepers were confident he would pull through with veterinary treatment.
‘However, following the situation Yatsey had experienced, on the journey to the vets he sadly passed away from shock.’