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Lion gives a commanding speech to San Diego Zoo visitors

Kanye West wouldn't dare interrupt this speech.

 

Mike Fenn

Internet Culture

Posted on Feb 9, 2015   Updated on May 29, 2021, 2:21 pm CDT

Visitors to the famed San Diego Zoo were in for quite a treat as they made their way through the zoo’s safari park. The male lion, the veritable king of the jungle (well, enclosed habitat, really), emerged from his den to deliver a rousing speech to his visitors. It was akin to the President’s annual State of the Union address, only with a better reception.

“Rawwr,” he opened, quoting the MGM Lion. “Rawwwwwwr, rawwwwwwr, rawr.”

His speech dwindled after a few seconds and he stared at the gathered crowd, presumably offering to take questions. When no one had anything to say aside from typical gawking-tourist banter, the lion turned and walked away. It was a short but awe-inspiring performance from one of the zoo’s most impressive inhabitants.

Screengrab via Jonathan Logan/YouTube

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*First Published: Feb 9, 2015, 12:32 pm CST