A Lion's Stroll Causes Panic in Ladispoli

In a jaw-dropping incident, a video captured the surreal moment an escaped lion casually strolled down a residential street near Rome, leaving locals in Ladispoli in a state of shock and fear.

The shocking footage, shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), showcased the lion confidently strutting down Ladispoli's streets, home to approximately 40,000 people. The woman recording the scene could be heard exclaiming 'Mamma mia' as the circus runaway made its way down the quiet road.

The escapade left some residents trapped in their cars, with one individual uploading a clip that featured the lion casually passing their vehicle against the backdrop of flashing blue emergency lights.

Authorities swiftly instructed locals to stay indoors as they embarked on a mission to capture the big cat, identified as Kimba. Ladispoli's mayor, Alessandro Grando, urgently urged residents to exercise caution, stating, 'A lion escaped from the circus. Please pay full attention and avoid travel until further notice.'

The pursuit of the elusive lion took approximately seven hours, during which it managed to evade capture multiple times. Local news outlet Corriere della Sera reported that the animal had initially been caught and sedated at 3 pm CET between Viale Mediterraneo and Via Nicosia. However, it broke free again, prompting a second sedation at 8:30 pm, with police finally capturing it at 10 pm.

Mayor Grando, despite facing complaints from residents, clarified on Facebook that he did not grant permission for a circus in the town but couldn't outright block it. He expressed gratitude to the State Police, Carabinieri, Firefighters, Local and Provincial Police, ASL, and volunteers who contributed to the efforts.

'The lion was sedated and captured. Now it will be taken over by the circus staff,' he confirmed, adding a plea for increased awareness. 'I hope this episode can raise some conscience, and that we can finally put an end to animal exploitation in circuses.' The escapade serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with wild animals in entertainment settings.