Lion escapes from circus and roams the streets leaving locals terrified
Video footage shows the shocking moment an escaped lion was seen prowling the streets of an Italian neighbourhood at night.
The terrifying clip was shared online, where the fearsome predator can be seen strutting down the streets of a town near Rome in Italy.
It is understood that the animal escaped from a nearby circus before going on the hunt through the streets of the seaside town of Ladispoli on Saturday night.
Mayor Alessandro Grando issued a warning to residents to stay away from the beast as police and circus staff tried to contain it.
According to MailOnline, he said: ‘A lion escaped from the circus. Please pay full attention and avoid travel until further notice.’
In one video the hulking male can be seen confidently walking down the middle of the road between parked cars.
One local, after spotting the feral feline, simply said ‘Mamma Mia’.
It took several hours for the wildcat to be contained by the authorities.
It had to be shot with sedatives twice as it awoke the first time, according to local news outlet, Corriere della Sera.
Local media reports claimed that the lion escaped capture multiple times during the night before finally being snared at around 10pm.
Mayor Grando was reportedly inundated with complaints about the circus being allowed anywhere near the area but he added that he could not stop it.
Later on Facebook, he announced everyone was safe and well and the danger was over.
He said: ‘The lion was sedated and captured. Now it will be taken over by the circus staff.
‘Thank you State Police, Carabinieri, Firefighters, Local and Provincial Police, ASL and all the volunteers who served during these hours of great learning.
‘I hope this episode can raise some conscience, and that we can finally put an end to animal exploitation in circuses.’
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