Escaped Circus Lion Recaptured Near Rome After Hours on the Loose

Escaped Circus Lion Recaptured Near Rome After Hours on the Loose

A lion that broke free from a circus in Ladispoli, Rome, was successfully captured by local authorities after a tense search lasting several hours, as confirmed by the mayor

The lion that had escaped from a circus in Ladispoli, a town near Rome, Italy, on Saturday, has been successfully recaptured after several hours on the run, according to the announcement made by the local mayor, Alessandro Grando, on his Facebook page at 10 p.m. local time (5 p.m. ET) on Saturday.

The animal had escaped for a minimum of five hours, leading to worry and befuddlement among the community.

"The lion has been tranquilized and apprehended. The circus personnel will now transfer custody. I express my gratitude to the State Police, the Carabinieri, the Fire Department, the local and provincial police, the Asl [Local Health Authority], and all the volunteers who assisted during this period of intense apprehension," Grando stated on social media Saturday night.

"I hope that this episode will stir some consciences, and that we can finally put an end to the exploitation of animals in circuses," he added.

Circus staff found broken lock

Grando promptly alerted the nearby residents as soon as the animals broke free, urging them to remain alert and stay indoors. The announcement was made at approximately 5 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET), stating that the lion had managed to escape from the circus and was swiftly located within the nearby waterway.

The capture operations are being carried out by circus personnel, with the immediate assistance of Law Enforcement who responded promptly to the scene. It is advised to exercise caution and refrain from moving until further updates are provided," stated the mayor.

However, the lion managed to once again vanish in a heavily dense reedbed and subsequently reemerged within the town. Upon spotting the police car, the lion fled once more, as disclosed by Grando to the Italian national broadcaster RAI.

Escaped Circus Lion Recaptured Near Rome After Hours on the Loose

Residents of Ladispoli, a seaside town near Rome, were told to stay home yesterday after Kimba the lion escaped from the circus before the animal was sedated and captured.

According to the mayor, a circus staff member witnessed three individuals fleeing and discovered a damaged lock at the circus when questioned about the animal's circus escape.

"They are talking about sabotage," Grando said, adding that the incident will now be investigated.

Escaped Circus Lion Recaptured Near Rome After Hours on the Loose

P-22 Mountian Lion

National Park Service

The creation of the world's largest wildlife overpass was inspired by a solitary mountain lion's journey. After its escape, the lion roamed the streets of Ladispoli, a coastal town located around 50km from Rome. Numerous individuals captured footage of the lion as it meandered through the area, crossing paths with parked cars and lingering near house entrances.

The lion was captured using a dart that had a geolocator attached to it. The animal was eventually located and surrounded near a school, as reported by RAI. Witnesses at the scene observed that the lion was in decent health, although scared and experiencing mild hypothermia, as reported by RAI as well.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Carabinieri.

According to the Organization for the Protection of Animals (OIPA), this incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks that circuses with animals pose to public safety. Additionally, it highlights the suffering endured by animals who are confined for entertainment purposes. OIPA expressed their hope for the implementation of a law that would prohibit circuses from using animals.