BOZEMAN, Mont., Sept. 8, 2010
Vegas Lion Attack Caught on Tape by Honeymooners (click title to entry - thank you)
Animal Turned on a Trainer; He Escaped Close Call; Newlyweds Got It All on Video
(CBS) Most couples never forget their honeymoon.But Titus and Drew Ellis have a special reason theirs will always stand out.
The newlyweds, who live in Montana, were in Las Vegas on Sept. 1, and decided to check out the lion habitat at the MGM Grand Hotel.
Titus was videotaping the lions and their two trainers, when all of a sudden one of the lions lunged at one of the trainers.
A struggle ensued, and he managed to free himself with the help of his colleague.
Titus and Drew told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith what it was like to witness the attack:
At the beginning of the video it is noted the lions were calm and not the least bit interested in anyone else. Either of the lions never moved to any aggression toward the first trainer.
It was only after the second trainer entered the 'territory' of the two lions that the male felt threatened. The First Trainer was never in danger. The Second Trainer was a threat because he was not 'accepted' into the pride. The male lion was naturally protecting its territory which included in 'the pride' a female and the First Trainer.
The First Trainer was instrumental in calming the lion as he was an accepted member of 'the pride' and had 'influence.'
The female acted 'in influence' against the male when the First Trainer reacted to stop the aggression. Between the female and the First Trainer, the male clearly received the 'signal' he was inappropriately moving against a potential 'pride member.' The male has his 'own self will' and while he broke from his aggression, he clearly felt threatened and apprehensive about the Second Trainer's presence.
If the appearance of the Second Trainer was better 'introduced' and he was 'accepted' by 'the pride members' this would never have been an issue.
If hotels are going to have live animal exhibits they should have handlers and caretakers for those animals whom know what they are doing ! None of these animals should be adversely effected by this incident.
It was only after the second trainer entered the 'territory' of the two lions that the male felt threatened. The First Trainer was never in danger. The Second Trainer was a threat because he was not 'accepted' into the pride. The male lion was naturally protecting its territory which included in 'the pride' a female and the First Trainer.
The First Trainer was instrumental in calming the lion as he was an accepted member of 'the pride' and had 'influence.'
The female acted 'in influence' against the male when the First Trainer reacted to stop the aggression. Between the female and the First Trainer, the male clearly received the 'signal' he was inappropriately moving against a potential 'pride member.' The male has his 'own self will' and while he broke from his aggression, he clearly felt threatened and apprehensive about the Second Trainer's presence.
If the appearance of the Second Trainer was better 'introduced' and he was 'accepted' by 'the pride members' this would never have been an issue.
If hotels are going to have live animal exhibits they should have handlers and caretakers for those animals whom know what they are doing ! None of these animals should be adversely effected by this incident.
