White-tailed deer jumps into cheetah enclosure at National Zoo, killed by carnivorous big cats
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Two cheetahs at the Smithsonian's National Zoo came across unexpected prey and the result was predictable.
Zoo officials say a white-tailed deer was killed by the cheetahs after it apparently jumped into their enclosure on Friday. A spokeswoman calls it "a normal and expected reaction" by the carnivorous big cats.
The zoo says a zookeeper heard noises from the cheetah pen shortly before noon and found the deer carcass next the cheetah siblings, named Carmelita and Justin.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Doctors will examine the carcass to make sure the deer didn't have any diseases.
No witnesses saw the deer entering the cheetah habitat — other than the cheetahs.
Deer are plentiful in Rock Creek Park, which borders the zoo. The National Park Service has used sharpshooters to control the deer population.