Video surfaces of lion attack at MGM Grand’s Lion Habitat

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 | 11:48 p.m.

It would have been something of a miracle if video didn't surface from the Sept. 1 incident at the MGM Grand Lion Habitat, in which one of the lions in captivity took after one of the attraction's trainers.

And, almost inevitably, video of the incident was captured and aired early Wednesday on the CBS "Early Show." Newlyweds Titus and Drew Ellis of Bozeman, Mont., were interviewed by Harry Smith about witnessing the attack during their honeymoon in Vegas.

"When you go to Las Vegas, you often expect to see some wild things, but this is taking it to a whole new level," Smith said, leading into the report. When Smith asked Titus Ellis what the response of the crowd was, he said, "Shock, a lot of gasps, and a couple screams. People were pretty upset about the whole thing going on."

The trainer's name has not been made public. MGM Resorts spokeswoman Yvette Monet told the Associated Press he was treated and released from a Las Vegas hospital. In the video, he does not appear seriously injured.

The lions used in the attraction live on an 8.5-acre ranch 12 miles from the hotel and are handled by exotic animal trainer Keith Evans, who is contracted by the hotel to oversee the habitat. Spectators are separated from the animals by 1.5 inches of glass.

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