A giraffe runs loose after escaping from the circus Friday, September 21, in Imola, Italy, southeast of Bologna. The animal kept its captors at bay for hours, damaging cars and startling bystanders, before police cornered it in a grocery parking lot, the state-run Italian news agency ANSA reported. The giraffe later died of cardiac arrest after being returned to the Rinaldo Orfei Circus, ANSA said. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2FSPECIALS%2Fworld%2Fphotography%2Findex.html" target="_blank">See more of CNN's best photography</a>.
Italian circus gives chase to escaped giraffe —
A giraffe runs loose after escaping from the circus Friday, September 21, in Imola, Italy, southeast of Bologna. The animal kept its captors at bay for hours, damaging cars and startling bystanders, before police cornered it in a grocery parking lot, the state-run Italian news agency ANSA reported. The giraffe later died of cardiac arrest after being returned to the Rinaldo Orfei Circus, ANSA said. See more of CNN's best photography.
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A van from the Rinaldo Orfei Circus pursues the giraffe down a street Friday in Imola.
Italian circus gives chase to escaped giraffe —
A van from the Rinaldo Orfei Circus pursues the giraffe down a street Friday in Imola.
Barcroft Media/Landov
The giraffe eludes its captors.
Italian circus gives chase to escaped giraffe —
The giraffe eludes its captors.
Barcroft Media/Landov
With its long neck, the giraffe was quite a sight on the streets of Imola.
Italian circus gives chase to escaped giraffe —
With its long neck, the giraffe was quite a sight on the streets of Imola.
Barcroft Media/Landov
The giraffe startles a passer-by on the street.
Italian circus gives chase to escaped giraffe —
The giraffe startles a passer-by on the street.
Barcroft Media/Landov
The giraffe reportedly damaged several vehicles while on the run.
Italian circus gives chase to escaped giraffe —
The giraffe reportedly damaged several vehicles while on the run.
Barcroft Media/Landov
Traffic in Imola grinds to a halt with the giraffe on the loose.
Italian circus gives chase to escaped giraffe —
Traffic in Imola grinds to a halt with the giraffe on the loose.
Barcroft Media/Landov
The chase eventually stops in the parking lot of a grocery store, ANSA reported.
Italian circus gives chase to escaped giraffe —
The chase eventually stops in the parking lot of a grocery store, ANSA reported.
Barcroft Media/Landov
Tranquilizers were used to subdue the animal, the Italian news agency said. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2FSPECIALS%2Fworld%2Fphotography%2Findex.html">See more of CNN's best photography</a>.
Italian circus gives chase to escaped giraffe —
Tranquilizers were used to subdue the animal, the Italian news agency said. See more of CNN's best photography.
Barcroft Media/Landov