[Faline]

A lion at Dallas Zoo in the US has turned on a lioness it shared its enclosure with and killed her in front of horrified visitors.

The male wrapped his jaws around the neck of five-year-old Johari and within minutes she was dead.

The Texas zoo said the pride of five - two brothers and three sisters - had lived together "peacefully" for years without incident and they have no idea what caused the attack.

"Johari was a remarkable animal, as are all of our lions," said Lynn Kramer, vice president of animal operations and welfare at the Dallas Zoo.

"This is a very rare and unfortunate occurrence. In my 35 years as a veterinarian in zoos, I've never seen this happen."

It is not rare for male lions to kill cubs in the wild.

Families who had been watching the lions were moved away and a restaurant overlooking the enclosure was closed.

Visitor Michael Henshaw described the shocking scene: "At first you think they're playing; then you realise he's killing her ... and you're watching it," he told WFAA News. "You just can't believe your eyes."

Dallas Zoo tweeted that the remaining lions have been separated while the attack is investigated.

A spokesperson added that it will "absolutely not" put down the killer lion.

It said: "Thank you, friends. It's a difficult day for us, but we're humbled by the outpouring of support."

[Kanda444]

zoo animals are wild animals... why do people get so shocked when zoo animals they act like wild animals?

[ices]

It is as shocking as a fat kid eating candy.

SHOCKING!

[Faline]

I think because lions don't tend to eat each other, especially a male eating his lioness. They tend till kill cubs or each other threw fighting over territory or females.

[Kanda444]

Originally Posted by Kelly ↗

I think because lions don't tend to eat each other, especially a male eating his lioness. They tend till kill cubs or each other threw fighting over territory or females.

i just mean that they are huge animals with a violent nature... i just assume that they could at anytime turn violent regardless of whether they are in a cage or not

[flangemanager]

It's unusual behaviour, even taking into account the wild, unpredictable and aggressive nature of lions.

[Pyramid_Head]

Amazing how even animals can turn on one another. Sad but that's the way it is.

[Shakey]

He couldn't take it anymore.

[DannyDrama]

Never heard of that happening, especially in captivity. Not hard to imagine how being in a zoo will mess up the pride dynamic though. I'd rip my brother apart if I was caged with him.

[Spiffyfable]

Guess they are having some Domestic Issues