A circus tamer was attacked by a 'beserk' lioness in front of a horrified audience which included children, and caused a pregnant woman to have a seizure from shock.
Scared children and their parents rushed from the big top in Russia as the beast twice clawed and sank her teeth into him.
Trainer Maxim Orlov and other circus staff fended off the beast - called Vega - with poles but the angry lioness caused injuries which required hospital treatment in Moshkovo, Novosibirsk region.
Pictured, the moment Vega the lioness attacked Trainer Maxim Orlov in front of a terrified audience
The trainer blamed the attack on the Ural Travelling Circus not working during the pandemic