A terrifying incident occurred at the Darling Downs Zoo on Sunday morning, leaving a woman in her 50s with severe injuries after being bitten by a lion.
The zoo, located south of Toowoomba, will reopen on Tuesday as investigations into the attack continue.
What Happened?
The woman, who has been visiting the zoo for over 20 years, was watching keepers at work in the carnivore precinct when the lion suddenly grabbed her arm, causing significant damage.
Despite being familiar with safety protocols around dangerous animals, the woman was caught off guard by the animal’s unexpected attack.
Luckily, the lion remained in its enclosure, posing no risk to staff or visitors.
The Aftermath
Emergency services were called to the scene around 8:30 am, and the woman was airlifted to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition.
Unfortunately, she is believed to have lost an arm as a result of the attack.
The zoo has assured that the lion involved will not be punished or put down, as it had not recently given birth to cubs.
Investigations Underway
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors are currently on site, making inquiries into the incident. The zoo is cooperating with police and Workplace Health and Safety to determine the cause of the attack.
However, full details will not be known until the woman can be interviewed.
The zoo has expressed gratitude to the emergency services and the public for their support.
The Zoo’s Statement
In a statement, the Darling Downs Zoo said, “This is an incident that we are taking very seriously, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities to establish what happened.”
The zoo is home to several species of big cats, including lions, tigers, and leopards, and will remain closed on Monday before reopening on Tuesday.