Latest news with #WorkplaceHealthandSafetyQueensland
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
50-Year-Old Woman Loses Arm In Horrifying Lion Attack At Popular Australian Zoo
An Australian woman lost an arm after being attacked by a lion at a zoo. According to The Independent, Joanne Cabban, a 50-year-old school teacher, was at Darling Downs Zoo on Sunday when the incident occurred. She was watching animal keepers working in the zoo's carnivore precinct before opening hours when she was attacked. She was airlifted by helicopter to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital for surgery and is now in a stable condition, the zoo said in a statement. The zoo staff are cooperating with government workplace safety investigators to determine how the incident happened. The state government confirmed an investigation was underway, per the outlet. "Inexplicably, at this stage, one animal grabbed her by one arm and caused severe damage to it," the zoo statement said. "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 continued. According to The Guardian, the woman was not a staff member but a "much-loved member" of the zoo's family. Darling Downs zoo owner Steve Robinson said that Cabban, his sister-in-law, was visiting on school holidays, something she has done regularly for 20 years. The 50-year-old is currently in the hospital and is in stable condition. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating the incident. Nobody else saw the attack take place, though others were nearby, per the outlet. The zoo's owner, Steve Robinson, credited another member of staff with saving Ms Cabban's life. He said that the staff member used his wife's leather belt as a makeshift tourniquet to stop the bleeding, and then applied a thermal blanket before paramedics arrived. Mr Robinson said that the incident was not the lion's fault and people should not blame the animal. The animal will not be put down or punished in any way, he said. "There's no aggression, and there's no nastiness, anything like that at all. The best we can come up with at this stage is the lion was just playing. Now how she was playing with a human in that circumstance is yet to be determined," Mr Robinson stated. He also said that it was the first time an incident like this had happened at the zoo. "That enclosure that we're looking at was one of our original ones. It's been there for 20 years, as I said before, without anything like this happening," he said.
The Age
5 days ago
- Health
- The Age
Sister-in-law visited lions ‘about 80 times' before losing her arm
Robinson said his sister-in-law remained in a stable condition at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital, where she was undergoing more surgery on Tuesday morning. 'Emotionally, both her and my wife are on a rollercoaster,' he said. Robinson said at the time of the incident, which was 'over in a split second', the woman was with her sister – Robinson's wife and co-owner Stephanie Robinson – and the zoo's carnivore keeper. But he stressed she was not in the lions' holding enclosure, where they were being held while the main enclosure was being serviced. 'Slightly further away, fortunately – very fortunately – was one of our keepers who's well-versed in first aid, and she was the first responder in terms of first aid to the incident,' Robinson said. 'She did save her life. 'She actually took my wife's leather belt off and applied a tourniquet. 'Very quickly, the first aid kit was there and we wrapped her up in a thermal blanket and the paramedics locally were here very, very quickly indeed.' As for the extent of the injury, Robinson said it was 'too macabre' to go into detail. The woman was a teacher who was a frequent visitor during the school holidays, Robinson said, and was well-versed in dealing with lions. 'The rest of her family is up here – her father, brother, nieces, nephews,' he said. 'Each holiday, she drives up from where she lives to the zoo. She stays here with us. 'She's been doing that now for over 20 years. If you're looking at, say, 20 by four, you're looking about 80 times she's been up here and she has done exactly what she was doing on the morning of this accident.' Robinson said they believed the lioness was 'just playing' and not acting with aggression. 'I see words like 'attack' used, and I suppose people don't know what other words to use, but it's not an attack,' he said. 'It's something that lions do – lions can play with each other like this and not hurt each other. 'Humans are much, much more fragile, and that's the tragedy.' Robinson said Workplace Health and Safety Queensland had not ordered the zoo to close and had done a thorough investigation. The Robinsons recently celebrated 20 years of running the zoo on a 49-hectare parcel of land that property records show they bought for $35,000 in 2001. There has been a long history of big cat maulings at animal exhibits in Queensland. Last September, a 47-year-old Gold Coast tiger handler was mauled while she was walking the animal at Dreamworld, suffering lacerations and puncture wounds. Also at Dreamworld, in 2011, a Bengal named Kato bit two Dreamworld tiger handlers – one in May and one in September. Kato was transferred to Symbio Wildlife Park in NSW the following year, where he died in 2018 aged 16. There were also a string of tiger-related injuries at the Sunshine Coast's Australia Zoo last decade. In November 2013, 120-kilogram Sumatran tiger Ranu bit 33-year-old handler Dave Style on the neck and shoulder in front of horrified onlookers during a public show at the popular attraction, made famous by the late Steve Irwin. The following July, another tiger, Juma, bit an Australia Zoo handler on the calf during a routine walk. And in 2016, another handler received deep scratches to his arm and head after Ranu swatted at him with his paw.
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sister-in-law visited lions ‘about 80 times' before losing her arm
Robinson said his sister-in-law remained in a stable condition at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital, where she was undergoing more surgery on Tuesday morning. 'Emotionally, both her and my wife are on a rollercoaster,' he said. Robinson said at the time of the incident, which was 'over in a split second', the woman was with her sister – Robinson's wife and co-owner Stephanie Robinson – and the zoo's carnivore keeper. But he stressed she was not in the lions' holding enclosure, where they were being held while the main enclosure was being serviced. 'Slightly further away, fortunately – very fortunately – was one of our keepers who's well-versed in first aid, and she was the first responder in terms of first aid to the incident,' Robinson said. 'She did save her life. 'She actually took my wife's leather belt off and applied a tourniquet. 'Very quickly, the first aid kit was there and we wrapped her up in a thermal blanket and the paramedics locally were here very, very quickly indeed.' As for the extent of the injury, Robinson said it was 'too macabre' to go into detail. The woman was a teacher who was a frequent visitor during the school holidays, Robinson said, and was well-versed in dealing with lions. 'The rest of her family is up here – her father, brother, nieces, nephews,' he said. 'Each holiday, she drives up from where she lives to the zoo. She stays here with us. 'She's been doing that now for over 20 years. If you're looking at, say, 20 by four, you're looking about 80 times she's been up here and she has done exactly what she was doing on the morning of this accident.' Robinson said they believed the lioness was 'just playing' and not acting with aggression. 'I see words like 'attack' used, and I suppose people don't know what other words to use, but it's not an attack,' he said. 'It's something that lions do – lions can play with each other like this and not hurt each other. 'Humans are much, much more fragile, and that's the tragedy.' Robinson said Workplace Health and Safety Queensland had not ordered the zoo to close and had done a thorough investigation. The Robinsons recently celebrated 20 years of running the zoo on a 49-hectare parcel of land that property records show they bought for $35,000 in 2001. There has been a long history of big cat maulings at animal exhibits in Queensland. Last September, a 47-year-old Gold Coast tiger handler was mauled while she was walking the animal at Dreamworld, suffering lacerations and puncture wounds. Also at Dreamworld, in 2011, a Bengal named Kato bit two Dreamworld tiger handlers – one in May and one in September. Kato was transferred to Symbio Wildlife Park in NSW the following year, where he died in 2018 aged 16. There were also a string of tiger-related injuries at the Sunshine Coast's Australia Zoo last decade. In November 2013, 120-kilogram Sumatran tiger Ranu bit 33-year-old handler Dave Style on the neck and shoulder in front of horrified onlookers during a public show at the popular attraction, made famous by the late Steve Irwin. The following July, another tiger, Juma, bit an Australia Zoo handler on the calf during a routine walk. And in 2016, another handler received deep scratches to his arm and head after Ranu swatted at him with his paw.
The Age
6 days ago
- The Age
Queensland lion attack: What we know so far
The zoo said on Sunday the injured woman was 'not one of our immediate family, nor a keeper', and confirmed on Monday that the woman involved was not one of the zoo's owners. 'The lady involved in the incident is still in a stable condition in hospital and is surrounded by members of our extended family,' the zoo posted late Monday afternoon. '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.' The woman was not in the enclosure with the lioness, the zoo said. A Metro South Health Services spokeswoman said the woman remained in a stable condition on Monday. The investigation After closing on Sunday and Monday, the spokesperson said in a statement it would reopen from Tuesday. Police and Workplace Health and Safety personnel arrived at the zoo on Sunday to begin investigations. '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,' the Darling Downs Zoo spokesperson said. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said investigations were continuing on Monday, but could not provide more detail. The zoo said it would not euthanise or otherwise punish the animal involved. What is the Darling Downs Zoo The Darling Downs Zoo is a two-hour drive from Brisbane, sitting 100 kilometres to the south-west. It is owned and managed by Stephanie and Steve Robinson, who purchased the 49-hectare property in 2001. Locals from nearby communities in Allora and Clifton – which boast populations of about 1500 each – said the zoo was particularly popular with people from Toowoomba, the nearest major town that sits about 40 kilometres directly north of the zoo. It has partnered with a number of local business and schools, who declined to comment. The Robinsons moved their animal collection to the property in 2022 and began building the zoo. They opened the zoo in 2005, but ran successful breeding programs for years beforehand. In recognition of its breeding programs working with vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered native species, which have been returned to the wild in partnership with release programs across the country, the Australian government listed the zoo as charity in June this year. The zoo's big cats The zoo houses several (asked for exact amount) big cats, including white and tawny African lions, tigers and leopards, and several species of small cats, such as cheetahs, caracals, and servals. The cats are bred at the zoo, but its website says the animals in its breeding programs are not on display for visitors. It began its lion breeding program in 1997, and its social media pages say managing director Steve Robinson has almost five decades of experience specifically dealing with African lions. Some of the oldest lions at the zoo are almost 15 years old, which is approaching the natural lifespan of an African lion, but the oldest lion bred at the zoo is 24 years old, and now resides at the Mansfield Zoo, in north-eastern Victoria. The zoo currently boasts a handful of cubs, including a set of female cubs born in mid-May and a male cub, Caesar, born in August last year. Up-close encounters The zoo offers several 'strictly monitored' close encounter experiences with the lions, tigers and leopards for $150 per person, which are used to help fund conservation programs. Encounters are limited to four people per encounter, with two encounter offered per day. The zoo's website offers guests 'the thrill of a lifetime' with the opportunity to feed one of the zoo's big cats through the fence with tongs. Guests are offered '15 minutes of big cat time', alongside educational talks and photo opportunities with all three big cat species. Cubs are brought into the public-facing part of the zoo for tours at 10am each day. A statement from the zoo on Sunday said the lion involved in the attack was not currently 'cubbing' – raising young – which can make big cats more aggressive. How many big cats are in captivity in Queensland We asked the Department of Primary Industries this very question. Six hours later, the department provided a list of about 150 people and organisations with a current 'exhibited animal authority' that allows them to keep animals. There was no information regarding the actual animals. If DPI knows, they aren't sharing. Animal attacks at Queensland zoos Last September, a 47-year-old Gold Coast tiger handler was mauled while she was walking the animal at Dreamworld, suffering serious lacerations and puncture wounds. Also at Dreamworld, in 2011, a Bengal named Kato bit two Dreamworld tiger handlers – one in May and one in September. Kato was transferred to Symbio Wildlife Park in NSW the following year, where he died in 2018 aged 16. There were also a string of tiger-related injuries at Australia Zoo, on the Sunshine Coast, last decade. In November 2013, 120-kilogram Sumatran tiger Ranu bit 33-year-old handler Dave Style on the neck and shoulder in front of horrified onlookers during a public show at the popular attraction, made famous by the late Steve Irwin. The following July, another tiger, Juma, bit Australia Zoo handler Mark Turner on the calf during a routine walk. And in 2016, Che Woolcott received deep scratches to his arm and head after Ranu swatted at him with his paw. Monday's attack at Dreamworld came two days after a female pedestrian was taken to hospital with a potentially life-threatening injury after she was struck by a vehicle on the road approaching the theme park.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Queensland lion attack: What we know so far
The zoo said on Sunday the injured woman was 'not one of our immediate family, nor a keeper', and confirmed on Monday that the woman involved was not one of the zoo's owners. 'The lady involved in the incident is still in a stable condition in hospital and is surrounded by members of our extended family,' the zoo posted late Monday afternoon. '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.' The woman was not in the enclosure with the lioness, the zoo said. A Metro South Health Services spokeswoman said the woman remained in a stable condition on Monday. The investigation After closing on Sunday and Monday, the spokesperson said in a statement it would reopen from Tuesday. Police and Workplace Health and Safety personnel arrived at the zoo on Sunday to begin investigations. '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,' the Darling Downs Zoo spokesperson said. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said investigations were continuing on Monday, but could not provide more detail. The zoo said it would not euthanise or otherwise punish the animal involved. What is the Darling Downs Zoo The Darling Downs Zoo is a two-hour drive from Brisbane, sitting 100 kilometres to the south-west. It is owned and managed by Stephanie and Steve Robinson, who purchased the 49-hectare property in 2001. Locals from nearby communities in Allora and Clifton – which boast populations of about 1500 each – said the zoo was particularly popular with people from Toowoomba, the nearest major town that sits about 40 kilometres directly north of the zoo. It has partnered with a number of local business and schools, who declined to comment. The Robinsons moved their animal collection to the property in 2022 and began building the zoo. They opened the zoo in 2005, but ran successful breeding programs for years beforehand. In recognition of its breeding programs working with vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered native species, which have been returned to the wild in partnership with release programs across the country, the Australian government listed the zoo as charity in June this year. The zoo's big cats The zoo houses several (asked for exact amount) big cats, including white and tawny African lions, tigers and leopards, and several species of small cats, such as cheetahs, caracals, and servals. The cats are bred at the zoo, but its website says the animals in its breeding programs are not on display for visitors. It began its lion breeding program in 1997, and its social media pages say managing director Steve Robinson has almost five decades of experience specifically dealing with African lions. Some of the oldest lions at the zoo are almost 15 years old, which is approaching the natural lifespan of an African lion, but the oldest lion bred at the zoo is 24 years old, and now resides at the Mansfield Zoo, in north-eastern Victoria. The zoo currently boasts a handful of cubs, including a set of female cubs born in mid-May and a male cub, Caesar, born in August last year. Up-close encounters The zoo offers several 'strictly monitored' close encounter experiences with the lions, tigers and leopards for $150 per person, which are used to help fund conservation programs. Encounters are limited to four people per encounter, with two encounter offered per day. The zoo's website offers guests 'the thrill of a lifetime' with the opportunity to feed one of the zoo's big cats through the fence with tongs. Guests are offered '15 minutes of big cat time', alongside educational talks and photo opportunities with all three big cat species. Cubs are brought into the public-facing part of the zoo for tours at 10am each day. A statement from the zoo on Sunday said the lion involved in the attack was not currently 'cubbing' – raising young – which can make big cats more aggressive. How many big cats are in captivity in Queensland We asked the Department of Primary Industries this very question. Six hours later, the department provided a list of about 150 people and organisations with a current 'exhibited animal authority' that allows them to keep animals. There was no information regarding the actual animals. If DPI knows, they aren't sharing. Animal attacks at Queensland zoos Last September, a 47-year-old Gold Coast tiger handler was mauled while she was walking the animal at Dreamworld, suffering serious lacerations and puncture wounds. Also at Dreamworld, in 2011, a Bengal named Kato bit two Dreamworld tiger handlers – one in May and one in September. Kato was transferred to Symbio Wildlife Park in NSW the following year, where he died in 2018 aged 16. There were also a string of tiger-related injuries at Australia Zoo, on the Sunshine Coast, last decade. In November 2013, 120-kilogram Sumatran tiger Ranu bit 33-year-old handler Dave Style on the neck and shoulder in front of horrified onlookers during a public show at the popular attraction, made famous by the late Steve Irwin. The following July, another tiger, Juma, bit Australia Zoo handler Mark Turner on the calf during a routine walk. And in 2016, Che Woolcott received deep scratches to his arm and head after Ranu swatted at him with his paw. Monday's attack at Dreamworld came two days after a female pedestrian was taken to hospital with a potentially life-threatening injury after she was struck by a vehicle on the road approaching the theme park.
