A lion sparked huge panic as it was found roaming the streets of a town near Rome after escaping from the circus.
Alessandro Grando, mayor of Ladispoli, confirmed the escape of the zoo animal and warned residents to remain vigilant as they attempted to find the animal. Police were seen rushing through the streets to find the deadly creature.
The animal, which was later found near to a watercourse next to the circus site, follows on from the controversial circus appearing in the town.
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Footage was shared on social media showing the lion, known as Kimba, prowling down busy streets as motorists sat in cars in disbelief. Mayor Grando confirmed he did not have the powers to block the circus from entering the town though did air his disapproval, as did several residents who sent through complaints.
The mayor's statement on the escaped lion read: "A lion escaped from the circus. Please pay full attention and avoid travel until further notice." Police and fire fighters set up a logistical command centre to deal with the escaped animal, RaiNews reported.
A section of the historic Via Aurelia was shut down as the search continued. According to local outlet Corriere della Sera, vets armed with rifles had shot the lion with a tranquillise but the attempt failed.
Police and members of the circus then spent another several hours chasing the animal before it was finally captured along the Sanguinara stream.
Now the lion has been captured, the mayor, as well as animal rights group Oipa, has slammed the circus.
Mayor Grando said: "For those who will start to ask: why are you still bringing the circus with animals to Ladispoli? Why did the mayor authorize the circus? The answer is that I have not authorized anything, it is not up to me to do so, and that unfortunately we cannot ban circuses with animals from coming to our city.
"In 2017 we tried but we we lost the appeal to the TAR and we also had to reimburse the legal costs to the appellants. Until the rules change we won't be able to do otherwise.
"I hope that this episode can stir some consciences, and that we can finally put an end to the exploitation of animals in circuses." Comments from Oipa soon followed, calling for the introduction of laws prohibiting animal performances in circuses.
They aired their "hope for the introduction of a law that prohibits circuses with animals, also in compliance with the new article 9 of the Constitution which protects the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems, also in the interest of future generations." The Italian Association for the Protection of Animals and the Environment has asked for the lion to neither "be killed" nor "returned to the cirus cages".
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