A circus tamer was attacked by a ‘beserk’ lioness in front of a horrified audience which included children, and caused a pregnant woman to have a seizure from shock.
Scared children and their parents rushed from the big top in Russia as the beast twice clawed and sank her teeth into him.
Trainer Maxim Orlov and other circus staff fended off the beast – called Vega – with poles but the angry lioness caused injuries which required hospital treatment in Moshkovo, Novosibirsk region.
Before he was attacked two lionesses – Vega and Santa – were seen brawling in the ring.
Then Vega made two attacks on Orlov.
A pregnant woman suffered an epileptic seizure from shock, said reports.
Witness Viktoria said: ‘The lionesses went berserk.
‘When we ran away, there was a wild roar from the animals.
‘The tamer was attacked.
‘A pregnant woman had an epileptic seizure from fright.
‘An ambulance was called.’
After the attack – the latest of many in Russia – there were calls for a ban on live animals in circuses.
The trainer – after being bandaged in hospital – insisted: ‘Cases such as today are very rare, but animals are animals.
‘Vega is five years old and has been wayward since childhood.’
She will not perform again after the attack.
‘We will negotiate with the zoos to exchange her for a little lion cub,’ he said.
After the attack – the latest of many in Russia – there were calls for a ban on live animals in circuses.