Staff member in a lion costume helps zoo practise for the event of an escape, as real lions appear unimpressedFor one terrifying moment it looks like the lion is about to get the upper hand against its human nemeses. The animal faces down its would-be captors – armed with a net and long poles - and, without warning, knocks one of them to the ground with its powerful paws. Rare white tiger mauls Japanese zookeeper to death Read moreThe escaped animal – actually a member of staff in a lion costume – was the protagonist in the latest Japanese zoo safety drill that is as much entertainment as preparation for a genuine escape by a potentially dangerous predator. A Mainichi newspaper video of the lion drill has been widely shared online since it appeared on Saturday. One of the original posters, @johnny_suputama, drew his followers’ attention to the expressions worn by Tobe Zoo’s real lions, which appear deeply unimpressed as they watch the “lion” being pursued by staff.

Source: The Guardian June 24, 2019 05:37 UTC