In a coastal town near Rome, chaos ensued as an escaped lion roamed the streets, prompting renewed calls for Italy to prohibit the use of wild animals in entertainment.
The incident took place after the lion broke free from a local circus in Ladispoli, leading Mayor Alessandro Grando to advise residents to stay indoors while authorities attempted to capture the roaming feline.
Videos circulating on Italian media, reportedly captured by locals, depicted the adult lion strolling through dimly lit and deserted streets.
However, Rony Vassallo, responsible for the animals at the Rony Roller Circus, sought to downplay concerns, emphasizing that the eight-year-old lion named Kimba posed minimal danger.
According to Vassallo, Kimba, despite being in an unfamiliar environment, showed no aggression towards people and did not exhibit any inclination to attack.
While Grando expressed relief that the lion had been successfully sedated and apprehended, he took to Facebook to share his hope that the incident would prompt reflection on the exploitation of animals in circuses. Grando had earlier clarified that he had not authorized the presence of a circus featuring lions in the town but lacked the authority to prevent it.
Vassallo revealed that Kimba was lightly sedated and had quickly recovered, showing no adverse effects from the escapade. However, the circus handler and his family, who operate the traveling circus, were left shaken and tense by the escape.
Vassallo refrained from speculating on the cause of the incident, acknowledging ongoing investigations into possible sabotage, including reports of a forced lock. He deemed the situation highly unusual, emphasizing that such an escape had never occurred before.
Kimba, along with his siblings Zeus, Ivan, and Maya, was born and raised in captivity, a practice vehemently criticized by animal rights advocates who argue that keeping wild animals in circuses is inherently cruel.
The escape in Ladispoli has reignited the debate on the ethical treatment of animals in entertainment, prompting calls for more stringent regulations and potential bans on the use of such creatures in circus performances.
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