Circus trainer 'mauled' by a tiger during live performance as thousands of people watch on in horror

A circus trainer was 'mauled' by a tiger during a live performance as thousands of people watched on in horror.

Footage of the act has been viewed more than a million times on social media after being filmed at a packed zoo.

The clip, taken by a woman in the audience, shows a Siberian tiger suddenly turn on the handler, pouncing then biting the man.

The shocked viewer shouts "hurry!" and "my god!" as other tiger tamers rush over and begin beating the big cat with a long stick.

It does little to fight off the animal at the Chinese zoo, who refuses to let go of its prey and proceeds to drag the man along the floor inside the temporarily cage set on the brightly lit stage.

The clip ends with the circus staff desperately trying to free the victim from the jaws of the tiger, and no further reports have been given about the handler’s - or the tiger’s - condition.

Shocked viewers on Chinese social media have called for officials to ban the "cruel" performances once and for all.