Zoo worker 'loses arm' after being 'grabbed' by big cat at Queensland zoo
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A zoo worker has undergone emergency surgery in hospital after being "grabbed" by a big cat at a zoo in southern Queensland.
Emergency services were called to Darling Downs Zoo in Pilton, south of Toowoomba, this morning after the woman was attacked in an enclosure by one of the big cats.
The zoo said the woman, who emergency services say was in her 50s, was watching other keepers in the area home to its carnivores, when she was attacked.
A zoo keeper is having emergency surgery in hospital being
The zoo said the woman, who emergency services say was in her 50s, was watching other keepers in the area home to its carnivores as usual, when she was attacked.
The zoo didn't say which animal attacked her but it is home to lions, cheetahs and a tiger, according to its website.
Investigators were seen paying close attention to a lion enclosure where the woman is believed to have lost her left arm.
It called her a "member of the family" but didn't say she worked there.
"This is something that she has done many, many times over the past 20 years," the zoo said on Facebook.
"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."
9News understands she was saved by the quick actions of an employee who used a belt to tie a tourniquet.
A message was written outside the zoo saying it was closed.
The zoo added the victim was not one of the family-run zoo's immediate family.
It also said the animal had not recently had cubs.
Queensland Ambulance confirmed the woman had suffered a "significant arm injury" following an animal bite.
She was taken by rescue helicopter to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition and has had surgery.
The zoo says it won't have an understanding of exactly how the attack happened until she can be interviewed.
The woman was airlifted to hospital after suffering an animal bite.
The zoo said it would be closed all day.
Families were being turned away.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said they have been notified.
Darling Downs zoo marks its 20th anniversary this year, welcoming about 50,000 visitors annually.
The directors had put it up for sale in 2023 but eventually took it off the market.
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