Shoalhaven Zoo attack: Keeper in critical condition after lion attack

A zoo keeper is in a critical condition after being attacked by a lion at the Shoalhaven Zoo in New South Wales on Friday morning.

NSW Ambulance Service confirmed to Starts at 60 that they responded to a call from the zoo, which is located in the south coast town of Nowra, around 10.20am. Upon arrival paramedics found a female aged 35, with serious injuries to her face and neck.

#BREAKING: A female zookeeper is in a serious condition after being attacked by a lion at Shoalhaven Zoo. @KaitlanTuk

Read more: https://t.co/kIrV9oq1Em pic.twitter.com/gzzo1FvGq3

— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) May 29, 2020

She is currently in a critical, but stable condition and has been transported to St George Hospital.

A crime scene has since been established at the scene and officers from South Coast Police District have commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, according to NSW Police it’s believed the woman was cleaning the lion enclosure at the time of the attack.

Today’s incident comes after another keeper was attacked by a crocodile at Shoalhaven Zoo in July 2014. According to a report by the Daily Telegraph at the time, Trent Burton, then 31, was bit on the hand by a 3.7m croc named ‘John’ during a feeding demonstration.

Burton had to undergo surgery after being dragged into the water by the mammoth reptile, as stunned crowds watched on in horror. He is thought to have been working at the zoo as an animal handler for around a decade when the incident occurred.