Highway 19. Out-of-state tourists in SUVs and rental cars slowed as they approached the parking-lot entrance, then continued on when they saw the barricades and police officers waving orange batons. The roadside attraction didn’t have any visitors this day, but its lot was still full. Police and other emergency vehicles. Detectives, state officials, satellite trucks. A TV reporter stood on the side of the road in front of the crime tape. “This is Jessica Meredith reporting live from Homosassa Springs state park, the site of an overnight tragedy reminiscent of the killer-whale death at Sea World. Police are releasing few details, but apparently an intruder cut through a fence under cover of night and found his way into the pen of the locally beloved celebrity hippo named Lu, where he was inadvertently stomped to death. Those close to the case describe a macabre scene too gruesome for words, as well as the presence of a mystery donkey seen in this photo wearing the cutest little hat . . .”
