Lion kills woman at US animal sanctuary
A lion has killed a female intern in an attack at a big cat sanctuary in California.
The attack took place at Project Survival's Cat Haven near Fresno, police say.
Cat Haven founder and executive director Dale Anderson was crying as he read a
one-sentence statement about the fatal mauling.
Diana Hanseon, 24, was attacked and killed when she entered the lion's
enclosure, he said, refusing to take questions.
Diana Hanson
Fresno County sheriff's Sgt. Greg Collins said investigators were trying to
determine why the woman was inside the enclosure and what might have
provoked the attack.
The facility, which is near Fresno in the Sierra Nevada foothills, is licensed
by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It is normally closed on
Wednesdays, and only one other worker was there when the mauling happened,
Sgt Collins said.
The 4-year-old male lion, known as Cous Cous, was shot dead by police, according to ABC7. The animal had lived at Cat Haven since it was a cub.
"Deputies shot and killed the lion to provide medical attention to the victim. The victim died at the scene," the sheriff's department said.
The Cat Haven has been open since 1993 and is home to tigers, lions and leopards.
Another big cat sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida, told the AP last year that at least 21 people, including five children, have been killed and 246 mauled by exotic cats since 1990. Over that period, 254 cats escaped and 143 were killed.
The 4-year-old male lion, known as Cous Cous, was shot dead by police, according to ABC7. The animal had lived at Cat Haven since it was a cub.
"Deputies shot and killed the lion to provide medical attention to the victim. The victim died at the scene," the sheriff's department said.
The Cat Haven has been open since 1993 and is home to tigers, lions and leopards.
Another big cat sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida, told the AP last year that at least 21 people, including five children, have been killed and 246 mauled by exotic cats since 1990. Over that period, 254 cats escaped and 143 were killed.
