A lion has spent hours on the loose in an Italian seaside town after escaping from a visiting circus.
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The big cat, named Kimba, was filmed by locals prowling residential streets in Ladispoli, near Rome, on November 11.
Kimba was in town with the Rony Roller Circus which boasts exotic animals including lions, tigers and an elephant.
Town mayor Alessandro Grando raised the alarm on Saturday afternoon local time to warn residents of the feline's escape.
"Circus staff are carrying out seizure operations, with the support of law enforcement who quickly intervened on the scene," he said on Facebook.
About six hours later Mr Grando posted an update to confirm the lion had been sedated and captured.
The mayor anticipated backlash to the circus being allowed into town and said the city had no choice unless laws were changed.
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"The answer is that I haven't authorised anything, it's not my responsibility to do it, and that unfortunately we can't forbid circuses with animals from coming to our city," Mr Grando said.
"I hope this episode can raise some conscience and that we can finally put an end to animal exploitation in circuses."
Meanwhile the Rony Roller Circus shared news coverage of the incident on social media and encouraged locals to visit Kimba during its shows.
"Thanks to the whole city of Ladispoli for the patience and support given in these last hours," an Instagram post from the circus said.
"Above all, a big thank you goes to Mayor Alessandro Grando as well as to all the authorities and law enforcement who did everything to bring Kimba home healthy."
