Lion Attacks Trainer At MGM Grand (VIDEO)

A lion attacked its trainer at the MGM Grand recently in front of a large group of tourists. In the video below, you see a lion going after a uniformed man and biting his leg. A couple captured it on tape while in Las Vegas for their honeymoon and appeared on the "Early Show" this morning to show their video and discuss the attack.

According to "Good Morning America," the trainer is now recovering and plans to return to work. The lion is already back on display.

This isn't the first time an animal has turned on his trainer. In February, a killer whale killed its trainer at Sea World, and in July we brought you footage of an Elephant attacking a zoo keeper who suffered life-threatening injuries.


WATCH:

Comments

[Vernon Brown]

11:11 PM on 10/07/2010

All cats suck.

[catlady1954]

03:59 PM on 10/08/2010

Wow! You are really missing out. That's a shame. Cats, particularly domestic/house cats are very intelligent and have lots of personality, if you allow them to show it. They are definitely different than dogs, in that dogs will put up with a lot of abuse by owners, but I actually like that cats let you know when they are dissatisfied with something. It shows they are independent. Too bad for you that you will never get the opportunity to appreciate cats for the fascinating creatures they are.

[amd02148]

03:46 AM on 10/07/2010

Was it just me or did the couple seem to be so happy to see that attack? they proudly recorded and shared their clip of the incident.

[amd02148]

03:37 AM on 10/07/2010

@Geotoronto, its horrible the way the trainers abuse the animals in the circus so they can perform their cute little "tricks". Having animals perform in a circus is one of the most inhumane things people can do. As far as animals being kept in the zoo? the things they do to keep the animals quiet and tame is just cruel and to think just so they can "entertain" the patrons. And you think animals should be in a zoo or in the wild? Are you kidding me? They're called wild animals for a reason because they should be remain in the wild.

[amd02148]

01:26 AM on 10/07/2010

What dont people understand they're animals and no amount of training is going to change their nature. The caretaker was extremely fortunate that he wasnt mauled to death, but even if god forbid he was, it wouldnt be the lion's fault, its cruel to take animals from their natural habitat and inprison them in zoos for people's entertainment.

[insanityfollows]

10:10 PM on 10/06/2010

I think Zoos have gone from "display" arenas to facilities of preservation and research, and that is fortunate and good and right, especially with so many species in peril. Anywhere else, animals shouldn't be "displayed". I don't think lions and tigers, etc... should be in circuses or anywhere else in today's world, except in the wild, with extensive efforts made to preserve their place in the wild. Circuses should be animal free, and so should casinos, etc... These animals, while amazing, truly amazing, should no be in shows. We don't give them the option of doing on their own free will, and I truly believe that sometimes they protest the only way they know how. They attack. I'm actually amazed it doesn't happen more often.

[Moxo]

09:45 PM on 10/05/2010

The lion is already back on display.
=========
Hopefully not stuffed.

[Renee27]

06:33 PM on 09/10/2010

That definitely was not an attack, lion attacks are deadly. I think the lion was trying to play with hm.

[merryons]

11:52 PM on 09/09/2010

This one already has an update confirming what really ticked the Lion. http://bit.ly/bIGpZo

[jamalc]

08:15 AM on 09/09/2010

I'm annoyed that Lions are both so extremely dangerous and cuddly looking at the same time. I want to hug one without getting eaten.

[Nick Anthony]

07:48 AM on 09/09/2010

Ok first of all that was no attack. That was a huge cat playing and forgetting how strong he really is. Also, the lioness taps her lion on the booty as if to say "honey...honey...calm down" and then she nips his tail to enforce this. Tee hee.

[MetrointheWoods]

07:31 AM on 09/09/2010

Keep treating animals like they're sideshow attractions and they will behave as such. It's one thing to use an animal in a movie scene, it's another thing to take them from their habitat, typically by force, and put them on display for a bunch of tourists.

[pending]

07:04 AM on 09/09/2010

Changing an environment does not equate to changing millions of years of evolution and the consequential animal instincts. Humans are so arrogant.

[Gavin Saunders]

06:51 AM on 09/09/2010

If we didn't have animals in captivity all over the place perhaps people would be prepared to see them properly in their own habitats and eco tourism could then flourish in places where their natural environments are being destroyed for all time.

[dct1999]

06:21 AM on 09/09/2010

That wasn't an attack, that was a game.

[dobberdoss]

05:24 AM on 09/09/2010

If that lion wanted him he would not of got away so easily. Something set him off. Just leave wild animals in the wild eh!

[catlady1954]

04:00 PM on 10/08/2010

Ditto.