oh my

A man died on Christmas day at the San Francisco Zoo after being attacked by a Siberian tiger that escaped from its enclosure. Two other men were mauled before police officers shot and killed the endangered animal. They are listed in critical but stable condition. There were no signs of the tiger getting out through a door, leading investigators to believe that it either climbed or leapt out of its enclosure, which is surrounded by a 15-foot-wide-moat and 20-foot-high walls. This particular animal had a history of violence toward humans. Last year, it attacked and badly injured a zookeeper during a regular feeding. This incidenct prompted extra safety measures to be taken while feeding the big cats. The zoo, normally open 365 days of the year, is closed today.

This story brings up my love-hate relationship with zoos. On the one hand, I recognize that some endangered animals have a better chance of survival in captivity where they are protected from poachers, loss of habitat and the encroachment of humankind. But on the other hand, it's sad for me to see the king of the jungle behind bars. No man hears what the caged bird sings when he's under the impression that humanity is king. These are wild animals and though I sympathize with the victims, I'm not at all surprised when incidents like this happen.

Compared to a 6-foot-tall man, the Siberian tiger is one of nature's largest predators.