A woman is believed to have lost an arm after being mauled by a lion at a zoo in Queensland’s west.
Emergency crews, including the rescue chopper, were called to Darling Downs Zoo in Pilton around 8.30am on Sunday following reports a person had been attacked by a big cat.
Upon arrival they found the woman, aged in her 50s, with severe arm injuries.
She was treated at the scene by the LifeFlight critical care doctor and Queensland Ambulance Service flight paramedic before being flown to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital.
The woman underwent emergency surgery overnight and remains in a stable condition.
Darling Downs Zoo said the woman was “watching keepers working in the carnivore precinct” when she was attacked.
“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,” the zoo said.
“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.
“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”.
The zoo confirmed the animal responsible for the attack would not be put down.
“The animal involved was not an animal which has recently cubbed,” the zoo said in a post on social media.
“The animal will definitely not be put down or punished in any way.”
The zoo will remain closed on Monday before reopening at 9am on Tuesday.
