Woman mauled at Darling Downs Zoo flown to hospital with significant arm injuries
The Darling Downs Zoo have confirmed a woman who lost her arm in a tragic lion attack was not an employee, but a beloved relative of the wildlife park’s owners. READ THE LATEST
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A woman has lost an arm after being mauled by a big cat at a popular independent zoo in Queensland’s west.
Emergency services were called to Darling Downs Zoo in Pilton, south of Toowoomba, about 8.30am Sunday, where a woman had been attacked by one of the zoo’s big cats about half an hour before the zoo was due to be opened to the public.
The zoo is home to multiple big cat species including lions, tigers and leopards.
The woman, in her 50s, was treated at the scene by the LifeFlight critical care doctor and Queensland Ambulance Service flight paramedic, as well as local QAS paramedics, before flown in a stable condition to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane with significant arm injuries.
The Darling Downs Zoo has confirmed the woman was a family member of zoo’s owners — Steve and Steph Robinson — and not an employee or visitor.
It has also been confirmed the woman, the sister of Steph Robinson, was not inside the enclosure — though the zoo has also said the lioness did not leave its enclosure.
In its initial statement the zoo revealed the woman had been inside the “carnivore precinct” — something she had done many times over the last 20 years — and was well-versed in the safety protocols.
A workplace health and safety investigation was ongoing an Office of Industrial Relations spokesman confirmed, with inspectors issuing a “number of compliance notices to the business to ensure compliance with WHS legislation”.
“The lady involved in the incident is still in a stable condition in hospital and is surrounded by members of our extended family” the Darling Downs Zoo said in a statement on Monday.
“She has lost her arm. She is not an employee, a keeper or a zoo visitor.
“She is a much loved member of the zoo owners’ family.
“It has still not been possible to interview her to establish what led to this tragic incident.
“We can confirm that she was attacked by a lioness. She was not in its enclosure.
“It was not hungry, skinny, taunted or tortured – it is a lion.
“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.”
The zoo said it will re-open at 9am Tuesday with a full program of free photo opportunities, educational talks and paid encounters available.
On Sunday the Darling Downs Zoo said one of the animals “inexplicably” grabbed her arm.
“At no stage did this animal leave its enclosure and there was no risk at all to staff members or members of the public,” the statement read.
“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 social media post.
A spokeswoman for the Princess Alexandra Hospital confirmed the woman remained in a stable condition.
At a press conference on Monday, Health Minister Tim Nicholls said he had received a report earlier that morning which confirmed the loss of her arm.
“She has had surgery and she is recovering well in the PA Hospital,” he said.
“And I understand Workplace Health and Safety are investigating that matter.”
A spokesman for Workplace Health and Safety Queensland confirmed inspectors were on site at the Darling Downs Zoo.
Several would-be zoo goers were turned away at the gate on Sunday afternoon, some travelling up to three hours to enjoy the park’s attractions.
One Toowoomba resident said the incident brought up safety concerns and he was unsure if he would return to the zoo.
“Especially with families and kids,” he said.
On Monday, Member for Maranoa David Littleproud expressed his condolences to the woman injured in the incident.
Mr Littleproud said it was a horrific incident but he hopes this does not discourage people from visiting the much loved animal park.
“It is a tragedy and a shock to not just staff at the zoo, but the entire community,” he said.
“I encourage locals to continue to visit and enjoy the zoo, which will need support from the community during this difficult time.
“I also wish the person involved in the attack all the very best with their recovery and offer support in any small way possible.”
A Brisbane woman who came to visit the park said she would likely make the journey again, despite the incident.
“We might check it out, they probably will put in more safety measures,” she said.
Owners of the Darling Downs Zoo, Steve and Steph Robinson, had put the business up for sale in 2023 after owning the business for 20 years – but had a change of heart in early 2024.
But the business has hit financial struggles according to documents lodged with ASIC on July 4, lodging a restructuring plan to help it keep trading as it deals with debts owed to the Australian Taxation Office and Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority.
It owes the ATO and QRIDA a combined $539,034 according to ASIC documents.
The couple had bred lions for decades before opening the zoo in 2002.
The zoo boasts lions, tigers and leopards, along with a slew of exotic smaller cats like cheetahs, servals and caracals.
According to their website, the zoo also offers daily big cat encounters where patrons can get “up close and personal” with lions, tigers and leopards for $150 per person.
The encounter allows visitors to feed the big cats with “safety tongs” under the guidance of a specially trained keeper.
Children 10 years and over are able to participate.
In August last year a tawny lioness known as Sassy gave birth – via C-section – to a cub called Caesar.
The zoo also welcomed more lion cubs this year.
Sunday’s attack is one of several incidents involving big cats and zoos in recent years.
Tiger handler Melissa Reynolds was bitten on the arm and shoulder by a tiger at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast in September 2024 when she was walking the animal from one part of the park to another area.
The attack prompted Dreamworld to change its procedures and enclosures to ensure that humans did not need to interact or handle the tigers.
A Bengal tiger at Dreamworld bit two handlers in separate attacks in 2011.
Australia Zoo has also been the scene of numerous tiger attacks.
In 2016, a 41-year-old staff member was attacked just before 11am and received puncture wounds and deep scratches.
Zoo owner Terri Irwin confirmed to media the handler would be going home from hospital in the afternoon.
In 2014, the Courier Mail revealed an Australia Zoo tiger handler who was mauled by a 120kg male cat had deliberately excited the animal to put on a better show, a Workplace Health and Safety investigation found.
The report also reveals the true extent of experienced keeper Dave Styles’ injuries which “could have resulted in a fatality”.
Mr Styles sustained a crushed carotid artery, nicked jugular, paralysis to the left larynx and nerve damage to the left eye when Charlie, a hybrid Bengal Sumatran tiger, got “over excited” during a routine show.
“Mr Styles admitted that he overly excited Charlie on this occasion which encouraged the tiger to play rougher than usual,” said the report obtained under Right to Information laws.
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