SF Zoo Animals Predict Panthers Will Win Super Bowl
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- San Francisco Zoo officials said the Carolina Panthers will win Super Bowl 50 after a lion cub and his mother won a competition Friday to "spike" a football, zoo officials said.
A five-month-old lion cub and his mother Sukari, who represented Carolina, tore into their football treat in 1 minute, 13 seconds, while a seven-year-old black rhino named Boone, representing Denver, tore into its treat in 1 minute, 32 seconds in the zoo's Zooper Bowl at 2 p.m.
Boone is named after San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Alex Boone. The cub will be named April 30 at Zoo Fest, zoo officials said.
Treats were set out in each of the two exhibits and the animals were timed as to how long it took them to get into their treats.
Former 49er and two-time Pro Bowler Dashon Goldson of the Washington Redskins was on a special visit to the zoo and timed the event, zoo officials said.
The activity provided some positive stimulation for the animals, zoo spokesman Danny Latham Jr. said.
"Boone is a great species ambassador at the zoo, but we saw today that he's no match in speed to our adorable lion family," San Francisco Zoo President and Executive Director Tanya Peterson said in a statement Friday.
All guests wearing football attire can take a dollar off their admission to the zoo this weekend and Monday, Latham said. Part of ticket sales will be given to conservation groups.
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