Lioness ‘attacks’ an oblivious zebra boy

A video of a little boy’s visit to the Oregon Zoo lion exhibit has been getting quite a bit of attention, with some asking why zebra boy’s mom was laughing.

The boy, named Jack, is dressed in a striped outfit that looked a little like a zebra and the lioness is quite intrigued. In fact, she appears to be trying to take a swipe at him, opens her mouth wide, and repeatedly paws at the little boy.

He’s safe, protected by a thick layer of glass between the lion and the outside of the exhibit.

Jack and his family were visiting the zoo from Bend. His mother, who needs to learn to hold her phone camera horizontally, can be heard giggling as her son is unfazed.

The mom, Heather, even encouraged her little zebra to say, ‘Hi kitty kitty.

Experts at the Oregon Zoo had to answer media questions from around the country today about the video. They say it’s not uncommon for the lions to interact with little kids peering through the glass at their exhibit.