THE runaway camel that led police on a merry chase yesterday was not the first wild animal to escape a visiting Darwin circus — and it was a long way from being the most frightening.

media_camera One of the three escaped lions on the prowl. Picture: NT News

Three lions — that’s right, lions — once made a dramatic bid for freedom during a Darwin circus performance with one even going on to break up a wedding ceremony in the Botanic Gardens.

RELATED: ESCAPED CIRCUS CAMEL LEADS NT POLICE ON A MERRY CHASE IN DARWIN

On Monday, the adventurous camel escaped from Circus Royale on Bagot Rd — one of Darwin’s busiest roads — before it was eventually caught on the ninth green of RAAF Darwin Golf Club and returned to the circus.

media_camera A runaway circus camel led NT police on a merry chase before it was caught on a golf course on Monday. Picture: Supplied

But nearly 30 years earlier, in a moment of high drama, three ferocious lions and lionesses bolted free during a performance when they slipped into the crowd before jumping over a nine year-old boy and chasing their tamer.

media_camera The story as it appeared on Page 1 of the Sunday Territorian on August 31, 1986

One lioness went on the run on her own and ended up roaming the Botanic Gardens.

But not before causing a havoc at a wedding that was going on there.

The fierst felines were part of the touring Sole Brothers Circus that was at Mindil beach in Darwin on August 30, 1986.

After escaping from their cage, one lion ran towards the entrance, jumping over Corey Allen, 9, as circus goers fled the tent in terror.

Corey said he was sitting next to his 15-year-old brother, Paul, when the lions escaped from their cage and headed towards them as they sat ringside.

He said he ‘‘froze’’ when the lion ran at him.

‘‘I closed my eyes in fright and next I felt a paw or something brush against me,’’ he said.

Paul said: ‘‘Not moving probably saved his life.’

media_camera The story in the Sunday Territorian in 1986

The other two lions chased their tamer, Lindsay Sole, who was standing at the rear of the tent near the caravan.

Mr Sole used an industrial bin to fend the big cats off.

The lions then turned on a camel — ironically — dragging it to the ground and ripping open its neck.

Sunday Territorian reporters Peter Dawe and Lynn Gierson said circus staff had to use a pole to poke the two lions in an attempt to steer them away from the mauled camel in the livestock area.

They then ran into the elephant’s cage where they were caught.

But the third lioness bolted to the adjacent Botanic Gardens.

Police blocked the entrances to the gardens and warned nearby people to get out of the area or lock themselves in their cars.

media_camera Circus goers fled for their lives when three lions escaped during a circus performance at Mindil Beach. Picture: NT News

Passing motorist Ron Gilles said he had to ‘‘look twice’’ when he saw a lion following him.

Darwin newlyweds Even and Wendy Lynne were getting married in the gardens which was suddenly disrupted by the growling gatecrasher.

The couple had been married for 12 minutes when police told them there was a 150kg lioness roaming the gardens.