3 Tigers Escape from Circus in Southwestern Mexico

Associated Press

December 24, 2009

(Circo Aquilar Hermanos)

Morelia, Mexico — Authorities say three tigers escaped from a circus caravan in southwestern Mexico.

The Civil Protection agency says one of the tigers was quickly caught. But the other two escaped into a mountainous area about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Morelia, capital of the Pacific coast state of Michoacan.

The tigers escaped Wednesday when their cage burst open while the caravan of the Circo Aquilar Hermanos drove along a highway.

Police and circus employees are searching for the two missing tigers.

Mexico has a problem with dangerous animals escaping from their caretakers. Tigers, an elephant, a lion, buffalo and camels have escaped around the country over the past year, with some of the animals attacking people before being caught.