The woman, believed to be in her 50s, was working at Darling Downs Zoo near Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, at around 8.30am on Sunday, July 6, when she was attacked
A “much-loved” zoo worker who was “inexplicably” mauled by a lion was airlifted to hospital with a “significant arm injury.”
The woman, believed to be in her 50s, was working at Darling Downs Zoo near Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, at around 8.30am on Sunday, July 6, when she was attacked.
The experienced worker, who has worked at the zoo for over 20 years, was watching keepers working in the carnivore precinct when she was “inexplicably” grabbed by a lion and caused severe damage to her arm.
She was flown to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital with a “significant arm injury” and is undergoing an operation. She remains in a “stable condition”, according to the zoo.
Police and local authorities are at the scene investigating the incident. The zoo will be closed all day today following the horrific attack.
Darling Downs Zoo said in a statement: “At approximately 8.30 this morning a much loved member of our family was watching keepers working in the carnivore precinct.
“This is something that she has done many, many times over the past 20 years. She is well versed in safety protocols around potentially dangerous animals.
“Inexplicably, at this stage, one animal grabbed her by one arm and caused severe damage to it. At no stage did this animal leave it’s enclosure and there was no risk at all to staff members or members of the public.
“She was airlifted to PA Hospital in Brisbane where she is currently being operated on. She is in a stable condition.
“Police and Workplace Health and Safety personnel are investigating this incident and have been onsite all morning. The zoo is working with them to establish how this incident occurred but the full details will not be known until our family member can be interviewed. The zoo will be closed all day today.
“We are extremely grateful to the QAS, QPS and LifeFlight for their prompt attendance and to all of the people and organisations who have rallied round us with messages of support.”