Baby deer jumps into lion exhibit at zoo

A wild deer wandered over from Rock Creek Park and jumped right into the lion exhibit at the National Zoo on Sunday afternoon.

Two female lions went after the deer, but the deer got away from its predators and made a mad dash for the moat. Zoo keepers were able to get the lions back inside the lion house and by that time, the deer had taken shelter behind a tree.



Zoo police cleared visitors from the area and the zoo's vet staff went in, sedated the deer and took it to an animal hospital. Its injuries were too serious though and several hours later, after being examined by Zoo experts, the deer was put to sleep.

The National Zoo is part of Rock Creek Park, home to some deer and a lot of wild or "feral" animals like raccoons and chipmunks. Baker-Massan says it's the first time she can remember a deer getting into a carnivore exhibit.