Tributes have poured in for the zookeeper mauled by lions at Shoalhaven Zoo on Friday as police continue their investigation into the attack.
Jennifer Brown was cleaning the lion enclosure at the zoo in Nowra when she was attacked by two lions and later airlifted to St George Hospital in a critical condition.
Tributes have poured in for zookeeper Jennifer Brown was attacked by lions at Shoalhaven Zoo on Friday.
The zoo asked supporters to “continue to pray for her and her family” in its first public statement since the attack.
Zoo management declined to comment, but thanked the community on social media for “all your love and offers of help” and “emergency services for their skill, compassion and care for Jen”.
“At this point in time our only concerns are for Jen and her recovery. We ask that you continue to pray for her and her family.”
Hundreds of wellwishers posted messages of support to Ms Brown, 35, in response to the zoo’s post on Facebook, with many people also expressing concern for the welfare of the animals.
“Love 2 jen n hopeful of a quick recovery,” Dianne Kostrubiec wrote. “Look forward to seeing her back at zoo.”
Joanne Campbell, who said she had worked with Ms Brown in the past, wished her “an easy and quick recovery”. “So much knowledge and care for animals.”
Caroline Roberts described Ms Brown as an amazing and passionate zookeeper: “I hope Jen makes a full recovery and we can one day see her back presenting one of her awesome animal shows.”
Celia Compton also wished Ms Brown a speedy recovery: “We met Jen last year at the zoo during one of her keeper talks and she is such a lovely girl who loves her job.”
Ms Brown, 35, was left unconscious with serious head and neck injuries after she was attacked in the lion enclosure of the zoo on the NSW South Coast on Friday morning.
She was left in a critical condition, but NSW Health did not have an update on her condition on Saturday afternoon.
The zoo's social media accounts feature playful pictures of lion cubs Ariel and Juda from last year, but an ambulance officer described the scene that confronted paramedics at the zoo as “absolutely harrowing”.
"The attack was extremely vicious and paramedics found the woman with severe injuries,” NSW Ambulance duty operations manager Inspector Faye Stockmen said.
NSW Police are investigating why Ms Brown was alone in the lion enclosure.
"We understand it would not be normal practice for someone to enter the enclosure while the lions are outside the race area," NSW Police Superintendent Greg Moore said.
Several Facebook users expressed concern about the welfare of the lions or criticised the zoo.
Christina Sofia, from Los Angeles, said zoos were “extremely cruel” and not dedicated to animal preservation: “I hope the lady survives for the sake of the lions.”
Michaela Jeffery called the incident “a tragedy”, but added: “Let’s hope these lions aren’t put down for acting how any normal lion would act.”
The zoo has been closed since March 25 due to COVID-19 restrictions, but offers an opportunity to feed its “Roarsome Foursome” pride of lions, including the “King of the Savannah”.
An animal handler was injured at the zoo in 2014 when a 3.7-metre crocodile known as John grabbed him by the hand and dragged him into the water.
“Of course we are disappointed the attack happened, but thankfully it doesn’t appear to be too serious,” zoo owner Nick Schilko said.
Ms Brown told the Avicultural Society of NSW in 2013 that she had worked with mammals, birds and reptiles at wildlife parks in NSW and Queensland, but she added: “Big cats have a special spot in my heart.”
Andrew Taylor is a Senior Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.
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2020-05-30 05:57:17Z
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