A woman has lost her arm after a shocking lion attack at a Queensland zoo where she had worked with the animal for more than two decades.
Emergency services rushed to Darling Downs Zoo, located near Toowoomba, around 8.30am on Sunday following reports that a lion had mauled a staff member.
Paramedics stabilised the woman at the scene before she was airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Authorities confirmed the woman suffered severe injuries to one arm, which was later amputated.
The zoo issued a statement shortly after the incident, describing the woman as a “much-loved member of our family” who was observing keepers working with the lion when the attack occurred.
“This is something that she has done many, many times over the past 20 years,” the statement read.
“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.”
The zoo confirmed the lion involved never left its enclosure and there was no risk to staff or the public at any time.
In a follow-up message, zoo management clarified the woman was not a keeper nor an immediate family member of the owners, Steve and Stephanie Robinson. They also stressed the lion “will definitely not be put down or punished in any way”.
“The animal did nothing wrong. It remains safely within its enclosure,” the zoo said.
Police and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) inspectors have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. WHSQ personnel have been on site since Sunday morning.
A WHSQ spokesperson confirmed the agency had been notified and was assessing the incident.
Nationals leader and local Maranoa MP David Littleproud offered his sympathies, describing the event as a “horrific incident”.
“This is a tragedy and a shock to not just staff at the zoo, but the entire community,” he said. “I also wish the person involved in the attack all the very best with their recovery and offer support in any small way possible.”
Darling Downs Zoo was closed to visitors on Sunday but is expected to reopen on Tuesday. The privately run zoo has been in operation for 20 years and is home to a number of exotic animals, including tawny and rare white lions.
The zoo has recently promoted “supervised encounters” with its lionesses, describing the experiences as strictly monitored and designed for both visitor enjoyment and animal wellbeing.
“Every cent of the money that they raise goes into a fund to build an expanded multi pride lion complex,” the zoo said in a recent social media post.
The full details of the incident remain unclear and are unlikely to be known until the injured woman can be interviewed.
Images: Nine News
