A lion's roar... but were the thieves aware of Caesar's presence?

A circus lion went on a night-time odyssey in Germany when thieves stole the van carrying him and then abandoned it after crashing into a road sign.

Police in the western city of Wuppertal later had the van towed away to a depot - unaware that the five-year-old lion called Caesar was inside.

Caesar appeared unhurt when a lion tamer arrived to reclaim him after Circus Probst had reported the theft.

The thieves got away and may have been unaware of Caesar's presence.

A circus spokesman, Laurens Thoen, told German media that there was no indication on the van about its dangerous cargo.

Caesar is reported to be "fine" and is due to perform again in Krefeld on Friday.