Lion Bites Arm of off Female Employee at Busch Gardens in Florida

Tampa Bay Online ^ | May 12, 2002 | The Associated Press

[aculeus]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A male lion bit the arm of a 21-year-old zookeeper Sunday at Busch Gardens, severing it at the elbow, park officials said.

The woman was escorting her family on a behind-the-scenes tour of the theme park, officials said.

The 12-year-old, 350-pound lion named Max attacked the woman through a bar-style fence and was never out of his secure area, said Capt. Bill Wade of the Tampa Fire Rescue.

The woman, whose name wasn't released, was flown with the severed limb to Tampa General Hospital by helicopter.

She is listed in serious condition, a hospital spokesman said. It was unclear if an attempt would be made to reattach the arm.

Zoo officials said they had not decided what to do with the lion.

AP-ES-05-12-02 1902EDT

[foto]

This same thing happened with a zoo employee about two months ago, San Diego I think with a bengal tiger. Don't they have procedures like stay away from the yellow line or something where they can reach? Too many peta ads and cuddly creature movies have warped these people's sense of reality. Aside, Really hope she gets arm reattached. And someone at the zoos better start teaching these people the reality of wild animals and its not simply a case of leave them alone and they will leave you alone. I think their scared to tell people these are extremely dangerous animals and that they might kill for no apparent reason because it is bad press for the animal lovers who volunteer/donate and might give pause to the anti hunting movement that is putting bears/cougars into people's back yards and (worse creatures elsewhere) villifying them if they dare complain about it or god forbid suggest allowing evil hunters to control the population.

[mamelukesabre]

ugh! that's terrible.

[dighton]

Kids, do not try this at home.

[Gun142]

She definitely has a new image now.

But still the same profile....

[sinkspur]

They do it for the immage, not for the pay.

Scammmin' for guys.

[Boxsford]

For example: the state could use them as a means of executing those convicted of violent rape or child molestation. Just cast the scum, naked and defenseless, into a pit with these carnivores, then let nature take its course.

Oh, yeah, and they could charge admission for folks to watch.

[cmsgop]

Haven't seen that shot before, only the one on the way down.

I used to have that pic on my profile but the link expired.

[ChiMark]

Touchy feely stuff. This ain't Disneyland. If we give animal rights could she sue the lion?

[tet68]

YOu are bad. TG ignore him.

Say, I understand Busch Gardens has decided to donate the lion to Peta and has delivered it to their headquarters.

[Bogey78O]

We need to close the Lion Show loophole that allows this to happen.

[Ditter]

I agree. Zoos make me sad. Wild animals locked up in small spaces with nothing to do but pace back & forth out of boredom. Wild animal parks are fine, where the animals are loose & the people drive thru in cars with the windows rolled up & the doors locked. We went to one once, it was great, until the baboons all got on top of our car & craped. lol

[RedBloodedAmerican]

PeTA is probably throwing a celebratory party right now.

[Willie Green]

Oh, yeah, and they could charge admission for folks to watch.

No. Execution of malicious criminals is a necessary function of law enforcement, not entertainment.
While in a free society, such as ours, there is need for public witnesses to verify that the execution has taken place, there is no morality in turning it into a gruesome carnival.

[monkeyshine]

Hey, it's a lion. It's in it's nature to attack weaker animals. Besides, it was probably pissed off that it was in a cage, couldn't hunt, and showed off like a trophy. No wonder it lashed out. (kind of sarcastic).

I hope they can put the woman's arm back on.

[csvset]

Hmmm... Perhaps the lion took offense at the presence of the strangers?

[Tennessee_Bob]

Just put the lion back in the wild

How much space do you have in your backyard??

[Gun142]

I can almost picture that.

[Frohickey]

Lions shouldn't be kep in zoos in the first place. They are wild animals and should be left in the wild.

Better idea... Lion burgers.

[Ben Bolt]

LOL !

[HENRYADAMS]

Well.I guess the lion could be said to be well armed.