Lions Maul Trainer at Ukrainian Circus as Audience Scream; Terrifying Video From 2010 Goes Viral

An old video of lions at a circus in Ukraine attacking a trainer during a performance has gone viral on social media. While the incident happened in 2010, it is now being widely shared on Twitter. The video shows several lions attacking the tamer leaving him injured. The incident was captured on camera by a tourist who was visiting the city of Lviv. The clips show lion tamer Oleksiy Pinko trying to keep the lion at a distance using a rod, but eventually, the majestic animal pounces on him. Although it stops in between, five other adult lions join him in attacking Pinko. Spectators including children can be heard screaming as the attack turns ugly inside the enclosure. Jaguar Attacks Woman at Arizona Zoo As She Tries to Take Selfies With the Wild Animal, Video Goes Viral.

The tamer can be seen limping trying to get away from the wild animals. Meanwhile, guards try to stop the animals by gushing water out of a pipe. An injured Oleksiy was rushed to hospital where he was said to have recovered. The video began to do rounds on social media all over again after a Twitter handle shared it with the caption, "Jerks using animals for tricks get some instant karma." The clip has received 7.19 million views, more than 8,600 retweets and over 20,000 likes.  Lion Attacks Man in This Shocking Viral Video Shot at Marakele Predator Park in South Africa!

Lions at Circus in Ukraine Attacks Tamer While Performing Tricks: (Graphic Content Ahead, Viewer Discretion Advised)

It seems being poked with a rod provoke the lions even more. Three other animal trainers also tried to bring the animals in control, but in vain. As the attack grew wild inside the enclosure, the audience vacated the building. People who witnessed the incident, reportedly said that it would be difficult for them to visit a circus again. The incident had then kickstarted talks on how animals are abused by trainers at a circus. Animal rights activists had protested against the use of animals in circus and for other entertainment purposes.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2019 01:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).