Shoalhaven zoo lion attack leaves zookeeper with serious facial injuries

An Australian zookeeper has been left with critical injuries after being mauled by two lions, officials have said.

A 35-year-old woman was cleaning the animals' enclosure at Shoalhaven Zoo, around 90 miles south of Sydney, when she was attacked.

Paramedics reported that the woman was found unconscious with severe face and neck injuries, including bites and lacerations, from the mauling.

She was airlifted to hospital in Sydney in critical condition.

The zoo, which has been closed since late March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, has said it will assist in a police investigation and provide support to other staff, according New South Wales Police.

Inspector Faye Stockmen from New South Wales Ambulance said: "The attack was extremely vicious."

She explained that, although the wild animals had been restrained after the attack, paramedics were nervous about entering the scene. She added: "We literally had to walk into a lion's den."

It is not the first time the zoo has seen a handler injured by an animal.

In 2014, an employee was dragged into water in an enclosure by a crocodile while giving a presentation to visitors. He survived with injuries to his hands.

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