LION BITES HANDLER AT MGM GRAND

A lion handler was bitten on the leg at the MGM Grand's lion habitat on Wednesday night, a company spokesman confirmed today.

A quick reaction by another trainer, who thumped the lion on the nose and stepped between the two, may have prevented the incident from escalating, an eyewitness told the Review-Journal.

The attack occurred during a feeding about 8 p.m. and was witnessed by onlookers, many of whom recorded the scene on video and took photos, an eye witness said.

The male handler required stitches "but will be back to work soon," said Alan Feldman, vice president of communications.

Feldman said "nothing has been determined as far as a 'cause' yet, although the entire thing was quick, minor and easily resolved. The animal involved is also doing fine and behaving normally."

The eye witness said the handler was throwing raw meat to the lion when it bit him. The handler limped away.

--NORM CLARKE, Vegas Confidential