Lion in Las Vegas attacks trainer

Las Vegas - People around the lion exhibit at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas were shocked when the male lion attacked one of the trainers in the enclosure.

The video shows one man standing on each side of the male lion. One of the men is looking the lion in the eye for a few moments before the animal attacks, grabbing him by the leg. The other man attempts to get the lion to stop attacking and a lioness also runs over and grabs at the lion. “It wasn’t a vicious attack, but more of an alpha male response,” says an article on the Bayanihan Tayo web site. “The male lion felt like the trainer was trying to challenge him by staring at him, so, he had to impose his will on the human trainer and show dominance. The male lion was basically claiming his territory and showing who the boss is.” The trainer received stitches in his leg. Dave Salmoni, a big cat expert for Animal Planet, who was previously attacked by a lion, told CNN that the lion saw the man stiffen when the animal looked at him and decided to show his dominance. "He went over and was doing what I would consider to be like a teenager testing his boundaries," he said. "He went in and said, 'I know I'm not allowed to bite people but I'm going to bite you and see what you can do back to me.'" The lions are owned by Keith Evans, who is contracted by the hotel. "The animals are displayed on rotating shifts at the habitat, just one day per week," MGM Resorts spokesman Gordon Absher told CNN. The attack was captured on video by a couple who were in the area on their honeymoon.