A lion escaped from a circus in Italy. Image credit: Wirestock, Freepik
Residents of town in Italy were told to stay indoors after a lion escaped from the circus and walked the streets for several hours.
It is believed that an adult male lion named Kimba escaped from the Rony Roller Circus on Saturday evening (local time) in the town of Ladispoli.
The town’s mayor, Alessandro Grando, warned locals to stay inside.
“A lion escaped from the circus camp in Viale Mediterraneo,” the mayor said in a statement posted to Facebook.
“Circus staff are carrying out capture operations, with the support of law enforcement who quickly intervened on the scene.”
Videos and photos of the lion moving through the streets were taken and shared to social media.
More than five hours later, Grando confirmed that the animal had been “sedated and captured” and returned to the circus.
In his earlier post, he said he had not authorised the presence of a circus with lions in the town.
“I hope this episode can raise some conscience, and that we can finally put an end to animal exploitation in circuses,” wrote Grando.
Rony Vassallo, the handler responsible for the animals in the Rony Roller Circus, said the lion did not pose any danger.
“He met with people in an environment he wasn’t used to… and nothing happened, he didn’t even for a second have the instinct to attack a person,” he said.
Vassallo’s main concern was that someone would harm Kimba “out of fear, or excess enthusiasm”.
Investigations are underway to determine how the lion escaped.
Vassallo claims he personally checked on the cage an hour before the lion escaped.
The handler said it was “very strange” and believes it was not an accident.
