CIRCUS SENSATION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20556, 6 March 1935, Page 1

CIRCUS SENSATION.

Trainer Mauled by Lions at Newcastle. SYDNEY. February 24. “ 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 canvas at Newcastle. New South Wales. The lion knocked “ Captain Monzala ” to the ground and mauled him badly on the 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 w-as persuaded to go in an ambulance to the hospital. After having sixteen stitches inserted in his 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 the 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 the prostrate man. Women, with y-oung children, began to hurry them out of the tent. Within a second or two, assistance reached the trainer. As Messrs Kitchie and Perry poked at them with the bars that had been lying in readiness beside the stage, the animals suddenly- 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 ordinarysign that their performance had ended. Both the animals bowed to habit and trotted meekly through the door. Prompt action by- the circus staff in advising the audience that there was no danger, and that they- should keep their seats, had meanwhile prevented the possibility- of a panic outside the ring. . - The lion and lioness concerned in the happening are full brother and sister, and natives of Newcastle. 1 hey were born during a previous season that the circus was there nine years ago “ Captain Monzala ” had been seventeen years with Perry Brothers’ circus and had been injured on a number of occasions while training lions and elephants.