Steve Robinson, the owner of Darling Downs Zoo, addressed the media as the zoo reopened to visitors, noting that his sister-in-law, Cabann, was still too unwell to participate in interviews.
Robinson said his wife’s sister Cabann had been visiting the zoo for more than 20 years and acted as the zoo’s photographer during that time.
He explained his wife Stephanie and a carnivore keeper were near the enclosure when the attack took place and helped to render first aid.
“She actually took my wife’s leather belt off and applied a tourniquet,” he said.
“The first aid kit was promptly available, and we quickly covered her with a thermal blanket. The local paramedics arrived remarkably fast to assist.”
The lioness attack itself didn’t happen in the main enclosure.
Rather, Cabann had been near the lions in their holding pen while the main area had been cleaned out.
Robinson said the zoo had never had an attack before and believed the lion was just playing.
“We’ve raised these lions ourselves,” he said.
“Their temperaments are excellent. We can still interact with them through the mesh of the cage.”
Robinson said the incident was still fresh in the minds of zoo staff.
“It’s very raw, we’re still processing in our minds. And coming to grips with not just what happened but what happens next,” he added.
“We’ve now got a lovely lady whose life has been altered.”
The public lion encounter wasn’t available today at the zoo.
Cabann remains in a stable condition in hospital but hasn’t yet been well enough to be interviewed.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating the incident.
