A lioness at Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland attacked a visitor on March 24, 2024, resulting in the loss of her arm. The victim, identified as Joanne Cabban, a school teacher from Forbes, New South Wales, was visiting her sister, Stephanie Robinson, who owns the zoo. The incident occurred during a routine school-holiday trip when Ms. Cabban was near the lion enclosure around 08:30 hours.
Following the attack, Ms. Cabban was transferred to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, where she remains in stable condition after undergoing surgery. Family members reported that Ms. Cabban, a long-time zoo visitor, had enjoyed photographing the animals and turning the images into calendars for her family during the holiday season.
According to Steve Robinson, Stephanie’s husband and zoo owner, the attack took place shortly after a cleaning session in the lion enclosure. “We heard a scream and discovered that a lioness had bitten Ms. Cabban’s arm, effectively amputating it,” he explained. At the time of the incident, Ms. Cabban was reportedly standing alone near a holding pen where several lionesses were kept.
A nearby carnivore keeper acted quickly to assist. Mr. Robinson noted, “She was the first responder in terms of first aid to the incident. She actually took my wife’s leather belt off and applied a tourniquet.” The swift actions of the keeper and the availability of a first aid kit were crucial in stabilizing Ms. Cabban until paramedics arrived. The local emergency services responded rapidly, and a LifeFlight helicopter transported her to the hospital.
The enclosures at Darling Downs Zoo are not monitored by CCTV, which has raised questions about the safety measures in place. Mr. Robinson confirmed that the area where the attack occurred was not accessible to the public, contributing to the lack of surveillance footage.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is currently investigating the incident to assess the circumstances surrounding the attack and to ensure that proper safety protocols are followed in the future. This investigation aims to prevent similar occurrences and to enhance the safety of both visitors and staff at the zoo.
As the community and family rally to support Ms. Cabban during her recovery, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about animal safety and visitor protocols in zoological environments.
