Darling Downs Zoo receives outpouring of support after woman mauled by lion

The community has rallied around a regional Queensland zoo after a woman lost her arm in a horrific lion attack.

A woman at the Darling Downs Zoo has had their arm seriously injured by a Lion, the woman was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Scores of loyal park patrons have spoken out in support of Darling Downs Zoo after a woman tragically lost their arm in a lion attack.

The woman in her 50s was flown to Brisbane on Sunday morning where she underwent emergency surgery, while the zoo, situated in Pilton to the south of Toowoomba, closed for the rest of the day.

On Monday morning, Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the woman was “recovering well” and remained in a stable condition at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

A spokesman from Workplace Health and Safety confirmed an investigation had been launched, with WHSQ inspectors onsite at the popular independent zoo on Sunday.

In a public statement on their social media, Darling Downs Zoo said they were working with authorities to establish how the incident occurred but added the “full details” would not be known until the worker was able to be interviewed.

They confirmed the woman was not an employee, keeper or zoo visitor but was a “much loved member of the zoo owners’ family” and had been around the zoo for more than 20 years, adding she was “well versed in safety protocols around potentially dangerous animals”.

The statement from the zoo also confirmed it was a lioness involved in the attack.

“It was not hungry, skinny, taunted or tortured – it is a lion,” the statement reads.

“It comes from a long line of captive born lions in Australia but it is still a lion – not a pet. it will NOT be put down.

“A full investigation has been carried out by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

“As a result the Darling Downs Zoo will re-open at 9am Tuesday morning with a full program of free photo ops, educational talks and paid encounters available.”

The zoo was almost completely deserted on Monday, July 7 with owners Stephanie and Steve Robinson choosing to remain closed another day.

A woman at the Darling Downs Zoo has had their arm seriously injured by a Lion, the woman was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane. Picture: 7News

Many loyal zoo-goers voiced their support for the zoo and the injured woman on social media.

“This zoo is special and a great asset to the area,” one commenter wrote on a Chronicle Facebook post.

“Everyone local needs to support the zoo more than anything now,” another said.

“I feel so sorry for the woman who has lost her arm … she has endured loss, pain and shock. A bit of respect for her would be the right thing and for Steve and Stephanie whose whole life is the animals,” one said.

Leader of The Nationals and Maranoa MP David Littleproud joined the chorus of support with a statement on Monday.

“I encourage locals to continue to visit and enjoy the zoo, which will need support from the community during this difficult time,” Mr Littleproud said.

“This is a horrific incident. It is a tragedy and a shock to not just staff at the zoo, but the entire community.

“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 yesterday confirmed the animal involved would not be put down or punished as a result of the incident.

The zoo reopened on Tuesday to a carpark full of eager patrons.

Tracy Arklay who drove out from Brisbane on Tuesday said she had already been planning a trip to the zoo for her grandson’s third birthday.

“Then that terrible thing happened the other day, but they’re still open so we’re happy to be here,” she said.

“They’re wild animals and I think we’ve got to be careful around all animals really, but it’s just so sad for the family and for the zoo.

“I think it’s lovely that the community is still supporting it.”

Joanne Ashby who was visiting from Bundaberg with her grandkids said she wasn’t turned off by the accident, and neither were the dozens of other families that filled the parking lot.

“There’s quite a lot of people here today,” she said.

Giles Burton and his family had been planning to come out to the Darling Downs zoo the day of the incident, so came back when they reopened on Tuesday, making the trip from Logan.

“We still thought we’d come and support a local Australian business,” he said.

Sheree Little who lives about an hour away from the zoo said both her kids have been there on school trips before and it was one of the things they wanted to do over their school holidays.

When she heard about the incident she said she was shocked that it was so close to home, but glad to see people still coming out to support.

“These things happen I guess when you are working with these animals,” she said

“We actually had to park across the road because the car park was so full and I was glad to see that there were heaps of people coming out to support them still.

“I don’t think it has affected the reputation of the zoo.

“I think it’s important we still support them because it was so unfortunate.”

Originally published as Darling Downs Zoo receives outpouring of support after woman mauled by lion