Town Near Rome Freaks Out As A Lion Roams The Streets Freely

A lion prowling freely through the streets of a town near Rome caused terror among residents after escaping from the circus. Shocking footage shared of the lion on social media showed him roaming around the streets of the small town, which has a population of just over 40,000 people. Residents were ordered to stay inside their homes as authorities tried to find the beast.

One clip showed the beast walking nonchalantly past their car as lights from emergency vehicles flash in the background. In another, the lion walks down the street at night, and glances towards a person who is filming him from inside their home. Alessandro Grando, mayor of Ladispoli, said on social media that local police had been helping staff from the circus search for the animal.

He wrote: "A lion escaped from the circus. Please pay full attention and avoid travel until further notice." Mr Grando added that the animal had been traced to a watercourse next to the site - and was forced to respond to furious locals who questioned why the circus was allowed into the town with dangerous live animals.