I knew the guy that went out to pick up the lion that stopped up traffic some 20 yr ago up there right on the Idaho border way up north not quite to Sandy Point .......city name escapes me now .
He told the story so matter of fact . Yeah they called me and said Leo (name changed) was out and out on the highway . So I'm thinking what the heck am I going to do so I grabbed the tranque gun a net and a couple of his downs and a lift sling and take off . Well I get there Leo is just freaked from the noise and cars I guess , and doing this honestly really terrifying half crouch run , turn , stop , search , repeat thing . It's different when you're not inside the zoo it's like there's no rules . (Like rules would matter to an 800# male lion) . The HP waves me up the line to a turn around . When I pulled up Leo just locked on to the truck , honestly I couldn't say if it was a happy to see me or a Gazel look but I was hoping it would be to come home for dinner not come for dinner . I opened the tailgate and yelled at him " come on Leo time to go home " . Could have knocked me over with dandy lion he just ran over and jumped in the truck like it was something he'd done 1000 times .
I really miss Bob Healy , great guy , fine pilot .