Japan lion attack: Caged cat mauls handlers during filming

The police along with the health officials are investigating the incident to find out what provoked the animal.

Caged lion attacks two handlers in Japan
An entrance of Shonan Animal Production, where two caretakers were attacked and injured by a lion used for filming, is pictured in Narita, in Chiba prefecture, Japan in this photo taken by Kyodo on January 23, 2017 Reuters

A 10-year-old male lion attacked and severely injured two handlers of a Japanese company that provides animals for the entertainment industry in Tokyo on Monday. The police said the lion, chained in a cage, suddenly became aggressive when he was being groomed for a scheduled shoot.

The two injured workers of Shonan Animal Production,, including a 55-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man, has suffered several bites to their heads and legs.

The authorities said the police along with the health officials in Tokyo's eastern part of Chiba prefecture were investigating the incident to find out what provoked the animal. The production company, which is based in the same location, did not respond to any calls for further details.

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