CIRCUS SENSATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 128, 12 March 1935, Page 8

CIRCUS SENSATION

TRAINER MAULED BY LIONS. SIXTEEN STITCHES IN ARM. “Captain Monzala,” animal trainer, aged 52, who, in private life is John Stephens, was attacked by a lion and a lioness while he was putting them through an act at the closing performance of a season which Perry Brothers’ circus began under canyas at Newcastle, New South Wales, recently. The lion knocked “Captain Monzala” to the ground and mauled him badly on tlie right arm before being driven back by, iron bars wielded by Messrs C. Kitchie and James Perry, of the circus staff. The lioness also leaped at the trainer but failed to reach him and was forced back before she could repeat the attempt. As soon as he was on his feet again “Captain Monzala” wanted to continue with his act. He was persuaded to go in an ambulance to the hospital. After haying 16 stitches inserted in nis right arm and right hand, he returned to the circus. Those members of the audience who knew anything at all about wild animals realised that both the lion and lioness were in troublesome mood almost as soon as they entered she big portable cage erected for their act, in the centre of the ring. The lion turned obstinate. It took much coaxing to get him to leave his stand. The moment he did so he jumped straight at his trainer. . There were wild screams from the audience, repeated as the lioness leaped from her stand in the direction of t le prostrate man. Women, with young children, began to hurry them out of the tent. Within a second or two, assistance reached the trainer. As Messis Kitchie and Perry poked at them with the bars that had been lying in readiness beside the stage, the animals sullenly retreated. Then the trapdoor separating the cage in which the performance was given from the travelling cage in which they had been brought into the ring was opened—the ordinary sign that their performance had ended. Both animals bowed to habit and trotted meekly through the door. Prompt action by the circus staff m advising the audience that fchere was no danger, and that they should keep their seats, had meanwhile prevented the possibility of a panic outside the The lion and lioness concerned in tlie happening are full brother and sister, and natives of Newcastle. They were bom during a previous season, that the circus was there nine years ago. Captain Monzala had been 17 years with Perry Brothers’ circus, and had been injured on a number of occasions while training lions and elephants.