LION ESCAPES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20382, 31 October 1931, Page 19

LION ESCAPES.

A NIGHT OP TERROR. SENSATION AT A CIRCUS. (fbojc our owx correspondent.) SYDNEY, October 22. The people of Springvale, an outer suburb of Melbourne, had a terrifying experience on Saturday night when a full-grown lion escaped from a circus, and vanished into the by-roads. Panic reigned among the circus crowd when the lion made its leap for liberty during the evening performance. Tho tent was crowded, and the people scattered in all directions, many of the women shrieking wildly although they were not in the slightest danger. The lion had been bred in captivity, and was of a particularly peaceful disposition, and but for the yelling of frightened women may have been induced to return to its cage. As a matter of 'fact, the Hop had been headed off by the circus clown, and was about to return through the open door of its cage when a woman whose exit had been blocked by the excited crowd, called out wildly that the lion was coming after her. So pronounced was her shrieking that the lion took flight and quickly disappeared from the precincts of the tent. The lion, who boasted the name of Lulu, was one of the star perfumers of the show, and there was the usual excitement when the cage was wheeled into the ring. It came to rest on uneven ground, and by some means or other the door sprang open. The lion was quick to see Its chance, and made a great leap through the open doorway. Three attendants. who wero standing nearby were knocked down by it, but uninjured. Apparently the crowd thought that the men had been attacked, and judging by the pandemonium fully expected to see them torn to pieces, limb by limb, at any moment. Scores of spectators hid then" eyes in their hands, or turned away •from the scene. There was a mad fox the main exits, while many crawled beneath the tent into the open. The lion itself seemed amazed at all the commotion, and quickly found its way outside. , , „ As it ran down the main street or Springvale, the Saturday night crowd scattered before it. There was a rush for houses and a banging of gates and doors. Youths climbed verandah poles and watched the excitement from shop awnings. With each successive noise the lion ran faster until it was out or sight. Then commenced an organised search for the beast, although it must be admitted that the majority of residents of Springvale found urgent reasons why they should hasten home. People were afraid to walk down the by-streets and tlie owners of taxicabs did a roaring trae'e. Consternation increased about midnight when the lion commenced to roar, and this was heightened when other lions in the,' cus answered it. It was three ococv in the morning before the _ lion was captured. It was found sleeping peacefully, curled up like a cat, undci -i hedge and showed only half-hearted defiance.