Detectives Probe Lions’ Escape

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30632, 24 December 1964, Page 11

Detectives Probe Lions’ Escape

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) ADELAIDE, December 23,

Detectives are investigating a theory that four circus lions which tore their keeper to death yesterday were deliberately let out of their cage. They have taken possession of a broken padlock found at the circus.

The padlock has been identified as the one used on a door through which the four lions escaped from their trailer cage. The dead keeper was George Herzog, aged 49. A coroner’s inquest will be held on Herzog at a date to be fixed. Three of the lions which killed Herzog were brought from Taronga Park Zoo when only six months old. One of them, Sheena, a lioness, was regarded as a pet by Herzog. The other two lions were named Ringo and Sultan. Sheena was the most highly trained of the beasts and is believed to have led the attack on Herzog. Rastus, the fourth lion who mauled Herzog, was purchased from Adelaide Zoo. He was completely untamed and would not perform.

Rastus, Sheena and Sultan were shot by police yesterday, but Ringo is still alive. Ringo was forced back into his cage by the circus owner. Mr M. O’Connell.

“Ringo was the tamest and my husband could even kiss him,” Mrs O’Connell said. “But when he was prodded back into the cage Ringo was in a wild frenzy and lashed

at everyone who came near him,” she added. Police have not decided whether to shoot Ringo.