Panic gripped residents of Ladispoli, a seaside town near Rome, after reports of a lion, escaping from circus, wandering through their streets was announced on Saturday.
The mayor of Ladispoli, Alessandro Grando, had advised residents to stay at home while police and circus staff sought to catch the animal. The mayor had issued warning to the residents to remain indoors on Saturday afternoon.
The videos that appeared in social media showed lion wandering through the streets. More than five hours after the warning was sounded, Grando said the lion had been "sedated and captured".
Residents of Ladispoli, a seaside town near Rome, have been told to stay indoors after a lion escaped from a circus on Saturday. Efforts are underway to capture the animal.pic.twitter.com/GL0bQmVGWZ
— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) November 11, 2023
However, the emergency service personnel had a tough time catching the lion as it soon got dark which hampered their search efforts.
A police helicopter with infrared night vision camera was used to help locate the animal, reported Wanted in Rome website.
"Now he will be taken in hand by the circus staff," wrote Grando. He also thanked the emergency services and volunteers who helped during the "hours of concern".
"I hope that this episode can stir some consciences and that we can finally put an end to the exploitation of animals in circuses," the mayor added.
