Intern Mauled by a Lion at a California Zoo

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 7, 2013 - A lion at a Central California exotic animal park, that is located near Fresno, has fatally injured a Seattle-area intern. Cous Cous killed her inside his enclosure. Her body was found nearby and she had been severely hurt by the big cat.  The African lion was shot and killed after another park worker was unable to get the lion back inside the enclosed area. The woman was still alive, but wounded at this time, so the authorities needed to reach her immediately in order to save her life. Unfortunately, she died at the scene.

The founder and executive director of the private zoo, named Cat Haven, which has been in operation since 1993, was visibly upset and shaken up about the loss. Investigators are still trying to ascertain what happened. Dianna Hanson, aged 24, should not have been inside the cage and it is unclear what might have provoked the attack. Only one other worker was present when the attack occurred.

Authorities will not be pursuing a criminal investigation, however, because it is clear the incident was an accident. There have been no violations, according to the USDA inspection record, all the way back to 2010. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife inspected the facility in Jan. 2011 and reported that the zoo was in good condition. It is unclear whether or not there any state regulations that prohibit a worker from entering the cage.

Hanson had loved lions and tigers since childhood. It was a dream come true for her to be able to work closely with them at the zoo. She had told her father that she would not be allowed inside the cages though.

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