So I played a little hooky Thursday for an “extended” lunch with the lions, tigers and bears. At the risk of sounding like a tourist — a status I still qualify for since I’ve only been here three months and some change — I went to Wildlife Safari out in Winston for a bite to eat and a tour, courtesy of Dan Van Slyke. Dan is the executive director for the 600-acre foundation. He landed there after a stint in local politics, an experience that would prepare most anyone for work in a zoo. The relationship between a politician and …