Woman loses arm in lion attack at Australian zoo
The attack took place on Sunday morning at Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland, as the woman was observing zookeepers working inside the carnivore precinct before the zoo had opened to the public.
According to the zoo, a lion suddenly grabbed her by the arm, inflicting severe injuries. She was airlifted from the town of Pilton to a hospital in the state's capital, Brisbane, and underwent emergency surgery.
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls later confirmed that her arm could not be saved. She remains in hospital and is expected to require further treatment.
The woman was not a member of staff but had long-standing ties to the zoo. In a statement, the zoo said she was a 'much-loved member of our family' who had been observing keepers at work for more than 20 years and was 'well-versed in safety protocols around potentially dangerous animals'.
'She is well-versed in safety protocols around potentially dangerous animals.'
Zoo officials said the lion involved had not recently been 'cubbed', which can sometimes increase aggression in big cats and 'will definitely not be put down or punished in any way'.
The zoo is working with workplace safety authorities to determine how the incident occurred, though a full account may not emerge until the woman is able to speak with investigators.
Darling Downs Zoo, which opened in 2004 and spans 48 hectares, is home to several species of big cats including lions, tigers and leopards. It has been owned and run for two decades by Steve and Stephanie Robinson.
Mr Robinson said he had not yet spoken to the woman but would provide an update once she had undergone further surgery, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation,
Local MP David Littleproud described the incident as 'horrific' and said it had deeply shocked the community.
'It is a tragedy and a shock to not just staff at the zoo, but the entire community.'
The last serious lion attack in Australia occurred in 2020, when a zookeeper was critically injured by two lions at Shoalhaven Zoo in New South Wales.
Darling Downs Zoo is expected to reopen to the public on Tuesday.
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