Thrilling scenes were witnessed at the top of a hill just out of Charmouth towards Lyme Regis when a fully-grown lion escaped from a van belonging to Chapman’s Zoo. The lion, known as Pasha, was in transit with three tigers between Bridport and Lyme Regis. This all occurred around a Friday lunchtime.
The van was being coupled to a tractor when it suddenly ran backwards and crashed into a tree. This caused the doors of the van to burst open which enabled Pasha to escape onto the roadway. The animal did not look overjoyed and just settled down along the roadway. Points of vantage of the spectacle were taken up by the men, women and children of Charmouth. However the best view was obtained by a gentleman who ascended a telegraph pole. An unsuccessful attempt was made to lasso Pasha.
A motorcyclist starting his engine startled Pasha causing him to move onto a field belonging to Mr. Goodland of Lilly Farm. There the animal espied some cows. The lion bounded up to them seizing one by the throat. A zoo attendant fired a gun which scared Pasha causing him to exit the field and jump over a wall into Mr. Goodland’s garden. By this time several of Charmouth’s residents had armed themselves with guns. These included Mr. Marsh, the butcher who shot at Pasha injuring him in the eye. The lion was now no longer a docile beast having been injured by several gun shots. Postman and World War 1 soldier, Percy Smith claimed he hit Pasha twice with his German automatic revolver. Onlookers could see that the lion’s last hour of freedom would have a tragic ending. Crawling into a hay shed, Pasha finally succumbed to his injuries.
That evening Pasha was put on display in Lyme Regis. Mr Chapman of the Chesham Zoological Park said that Pasha was around eight years old and was valued at £250. He was considered to be a perfect example of his species.
(Source: Western Gazette - 28th June 1929.)
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