LION’S BID FOR FREEDOM.

Shannon News, 31 March 1925, Page 3

LION’S BID FO R FREEDOM.

A thrilling’ .incident maTked a circus performance at Eltham last -week, when the same lion which created a sensation by escaping at Hawera some weeks ago nearly escaped fi orE the cage ilto the midst of the large crowd of spectators. The lions wore being put through their tricks, when suddenly one beast sprang to the top of the circular cage, and, getting its head beneath the netting covering, succeeded in working its body haltway over the bar. Pa’ndemonium followed, and the audience rushed the exits. Many crawled ,but under the tent. An exciting scene followed, for the lion was slowly but surely forcing his way to freedom. The circus stuff were equal to the occasion and many rushed to push the beast back. The elephant man thought quickest. I-Ie seined a pick and pushed it into the lion’s gaping jaws, thrusting with the handle meanwhile. The beasts’ trainer from inside had grasped the situation, and disregarding a snarling lio'iess seized the tail of her mate and threw his not inconsiderable weight into the grim tug-of-war. The combined efforts of the ele-phant-man pushing ih front and the trainer tugging behind proved too great a handicap to the lion, and presently he fell back into the cage to the great relief of all. The lion did not display any resentment, and ,the performance proceeded without further incident.