Woman who lost arm in lion attack at Darling Downs Zoo identified

A woman who lost her arm in a lion attack at a regional Queensland zoo has been identified as the zoo owner’s sister.

A woman who lost her arm after being attacked by a lion at a Queensland zoo has been identified as the sister of owner Stephanie Robinson.

Emergency services were called to the Darling Downs Zoo, a popular wildlife park near Toowoomba, about 8.30am on Sunday after reports a woman had been bitten by the big cat.

Paramedics flew her to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition.

News.com.au reported the sister of Darling Downs Zoo owner Stephanie Robinson was the person who lost her arm during a lion attack. Picture: 7 NEWS

Darling Downs Zoo confirmed in a social media post on Monday the much loved member of the owner’s family lost her arm in the attack.

The zoo said they were waiting to interview the woman to find out how the “tragic incident” happened and the lion would not be put down following the attack.

“The lady involved in the incident is still in a stable condition in hospital and is surrounded by members of our extended family,” the post stated.

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

On Sunday, the zoo described the woman had been observing keepers working when the incident occurred.

“This is something that she has done many, many times over the past 20 years,” the zoo said.

“She is well-versed in safety protocols around potentially dangerous animals.

“Inexplicably, at this stage, one animal grabbed her by one arm and caused severe damage to it.”

The zoo said the animal did not leave its enclosure at any stage and there was no risk to staff members or the public.

“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 (the woman) can be interviewed,” they said.

Paramedics flew the hospital to hospital in a rescue chopper after the serious bite. Picture: Nine News

“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 was closed on Sunday and is due to re-open on Tuesday.

Another follow-up post indicated the woman was not a keeper or an immediate family member of the owners, and also asserted the animal “will definitely not be put down or punished in any way”.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors are on site.

“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland have been notified about an incident at Pilton, near Toowoomba earlier today,” a spokesman told NewsWire.

Nationals leader and Maranoa MP David Littleproud has expressed his condolences to the injured woman, saying the attack would have been an enormous shock to zoo staff.

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

Mr Littleproud has encouraged residents to keep supporting the “much-loved animal park”, which is located between Warwick and Toowoomba in Queensland’s southwest. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“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.”

Steve and Stephanie Robinson have owned and operated the zoo for 20 years, which is home to tawny and rare white lions, as well as lion cubs.

Recently, the zoo promoted supervised encounters with its lionesses on social media.

“Each day at 10am they are on supervised display to our visitors and are also available for some personalised encounters,” the zoo shared.

“These encounters are strictly monitored to ensure their enjoyment of them and their wellbeing.

“Every cent of the money that they raise goes into a fund to build an expanded multi pride lion complex to cater for the needs of our enlarged lion family.”