Thief 'accidentally steals circus lion'

A would-be-thief reportedly abandoned a stolen van which was being used to transport a circus lion named Caesar.

Police recovered the Mercedes in Wuppertal, western Germany with the engine still running, AFP reports.

The officers were not aware of the van's contents until the vehicle was returned to its owners.

Circus Probst spokesman Laurens Thoen said: "Caesar is fine. We're not worried about him. Since yesterday afternoon he has been in his enclosure at the circus."

It was not clear if the presence of the 5-year-old lion was the reason for the van being abandoned.