Lion mauls two handlers in Japan

Two animal handlers were severely injured after a lion attacked them at the Shonan Animal Production facility in Chiba, Japan this morning (Jan 24).

A woman in her 50s and a man in his 20s sustained bites to their heads and legs while washing the lion in its cage at the media facility, reports The Japan Times.

The lion, reportedly a 10-year-old male, was chained and did not try to escape during the incident.

It was being cleaned ahead of a filming of photo shoot.

According to Japan Today, it is not clear what provoked the lion.

Police and health officials in Chiba Prefecture are investigating the incident.