By Dan McCray, ABC News
Investigations into the incident are ongoing. Photo: ABC News
A woman who was bitten by a lion at a zoo west of Brisbane is set to undergo another surgery.
The woman in her 50s suffered a severe injury while watching keepers working in the carnivore enclosure at the Darling Downs Zoo, south of Toowoomba, on Sunday.
Emergency services were called to the zoo about 8:30am and the woman was transported to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition.
It is understood the woman has lost an arm.
Zoo owner Steve Robinson said he had not yet spoken to the woman, but would provide an update once she had undergone surgery.
In a statement, Darling Downs Zoo said the woman was well versed in safety protocols around potentially dangerous animals.
"This is something that she has done many, many times over the past 20 years," it said.
"Inexplicably, at this stage, one animal grabbed her by one arm and caused severe damage to it."
The statement said the animal involved would "definitely not be put down or punished in any way".
Incident a 'tragedy and shock'
A spokesperson for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said its inspectors were investigating.
Darling Downs Zoo said it was working with authorities to establish how the incident occurred.
"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 statement said.
Darling Downs Zoo was closed on Sunday and is expected to reopen on Tuesday.
The zoo, which is a two-hour drive from Brisbane, is home to several species of big cats including lions, tigers and leopards.
Maranoa MP David Littleproud said the attack would have been an enormous shock to staff at the "much-loved animal park".
"This is a horrific incident. It is a tragedy and a shock," Littleproud said.
The business, which is spread across a 48-hectare property on the Darling Downs, was listed for sale for around $6 million in 2023 but was taken off the market last year.
- ABC
