Belly Up

Over 2,000 guests attend Carnivore Canyon’s grand opening party, many of them wealthy Texans who grumble about having to pass through two metal detectors on their way to the event. The guests have little interest in the newly opened enclosure, but Teddy and his mother excitedly observe mountain lions, otters, and bears in their new home. Summer finds Teddy and tells him her father wants to speak with him. As the boy approaches J. J. McCracken, he hears the billionaire and Doc talking about how the jaguar died of toxoplasmosis, which is “primarily a disease of house cats” (189). The jaguar likely fell ill in a customs holding facility. The canyon now contains three live jaguars, and Doc criticizes McCracken for buying them from an unscrupulous breeder in Brazil.

McCracken sends Doc away and graciously greets Teddy, telling him Summer has “a heap of good things to say about [him]” (191). This makes both Teddy and Summer blush. McCracken agrees Henry was murdered, and he suspects either the Animal Liberation Front or a rival corporation is responsible. Henry’s death has already cost FunJungle millions in canceled trips and unsold merchandise, with McCracken saying: “Do you have any idea how much damage they’ve done by killing Henry right after the park’s grand opening? [.