Karmactive Staff
A female zookeeper in her 50s suffered serious arm injuries in a lion attack at the Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland on Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 8:30 AM while she was reportedly cleaning the lion enclosure.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving reports that the woman had been bitten by a lion. Paramedics provided immediate treatment before airlifting her to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, where she remains in serious but stable condition.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the zookeeper’s arm may have been completely severed during the attack, which happened when she allegedly reached into the lion enclosure.
The zoo, located near Toowoomba about two hours from Brisbane, announced its closure for the day in a brief Facebook post citing “unforeseen circumstances.” Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) has sent inspectors to the site to investigate the incident.
“WHSQ Inspectors are onsite and making inquiries,” a spokesperson confirmed, declining to provide further details as the investigation continues.
The Darling Downs Zoo is home to several species of big cats, including tawny and rare white lions. According to recent social media posts, the zoo offers supervised encounters with lionesses, with proceeds going toward building an expanded lion complex.
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Steve and Stephanie Robinson, who have owned and operated the zoo for 20 years, have not yet released a detailed statement about the incident.
Zoo safety protocols typically include “protected contact” systems where physical barriers separate keepers from dangerous animals, especially during feeding or cleaning. The WHSQ investigation will likely examine whether established safety procedures were followed and if any improvements are needed.
Under Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Act 2011, zoos must ensure the health and safety of workers and visitors by identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing proper safety measures.
While such attacks are relatively rare given the thousands of daily interactions between zookeepers and animals worldwide, they highlight the inherent risks of working with large predators, even for experienced handlers.
The zoo has not responded to requests for additional comment about the incident or the condition of the lion involved.
