Zoo worker 'loses arm' after being 'grabbed' by big cat at Queensland zoo

Sunday, 6 July 2025 13:15

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.

A zoo worker has undergone emergency surgery 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, on Sunday morning after the woman was attacked in an enclosure by one of the big cats.

The zoo said the woman, who emergency services said 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 "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 did not 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.

The zoo didn't say which animal attacked her but it is home to lions, cheetahs and a tiger, according to its website.

"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.

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 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.

The zoo said it would wait to interview the victim to assess exactly how the attack happened.

Woman bitten by animal Darling Downs Zoo

The zoo was closed for the day, and families were turned away.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland were 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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