16:32
A giraffe runs loose on the streets of the picturesque town of Imola, Italy after escaping from its enclosure at a circus
You're
having a giraffe: One local is forced to flee as the galloping giraffe
heads in her direction while a man tries in vain to stop the huge animal
after it ran loose for nearly three hours
Putting its neck out: The giraffe even managed to stoop underneath this mesh fence as it continued its escape bid
Runaround: Police were led a merry dance after the giraffe had broken loose from Rinaldo Orfeo Circus
Nothing to see: The giraffe casually by passes a police officer during its quick tour of the Italian town
The giraffe had broken loose from Rinaldo Orfeo Circus - halting rush hour traffic.
Locals stood aghast as the giraffe led police on a cartoon-like chase across town.
At one point the giraffe tumbled into a car almost crushing it.
Stopping traffic: Vehicles were forced to swerve as the zoo animal took to the streets of the Italian town
Caught on the hoof: Police could do nothing but give chase as the giraffe made its way around busy streets
Embarrassing: Officials appear to be running out of ideas as they bid to stop the marauding mammal
Picture that: A man stops to take a quick picture of the animal as the bizarre escape unfolded
Angry locals even reported damage to their cars, which crumpled under the the 920kg giraffe's hoofs.
Cornered: Keepers rushed to the scene armed with tranquiliser guns as they tried to bring the pursuit to an end
Ready to fire: Having cornered the giraffe in an empty car park keepers were finally able to capture the animal
Tall order: Those trying to capture the animal even had to get out a ladder to try and usher it to safety
Captured:
After a three hour long pursuit a team of keepers, police, vets and
locals help get giraffe in to a vehicle to transport it back to the
circus
Tranquilised: The animal finally succumbs to the tranquiliser darts as it is finally caught by an army of helpers
