Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Coroner: Lion killed woman after escaping cage
Yahoo News ^ | March 8, 2013 | TRACIE CONE and GOSIA WOZNIACKA | Associated Press

Posted on 03/08/2013 5:43:42 AM PST by Uncle Chip

DUNLAP, Calif. (AP) — The investigation into a lion attack that killed a 24-year-old woman who loved big cats is focusing on a cage door that the 550-pound animal managed to escape through to reach the volunteer intern, officials say.

Authorities said Thursday they believe the 5-year-old male lion broke the neck of the woman at a Central California animal park after it got out of its feeding cage and attacked as she cleaned its bigger area.

The investigation is continuing into how the powerful beast and Dianna Hanson came tragically to be in the same place at the same time, Fresno County coroner David Hadden said.

"The lion had been fed, the young woman was cleaning the large enclosure, and the lion was in the small cage. The gate of the cage was partially open, which allowed the lion called Cous Cous to lift it up with his paw," Hadden said, based on a briefing from investigators. "He ran at the young lady."

Hanson was talking with a co-worker on a cellphone in the moments before she was killed, the coroner said. The co-worker became concerned when the conversation ended abruptly and Hanson failed to call back. The co-worker then called authorities when she went to check on Hanson. Hadden said the lion broke Hanson's neck, probably with a swipe of a paw, killing her instantly.

Sheriff's deputies shot Cous Cous after he couldn't be coaxed away from Hanson's body.

Hanson had been working for two months as an intern at Cat Haven, a 100-acre private zoo east of Fresno. Her father, Paul Hanson, described his daughter as a "fearless" lover of big cats and said her goal was to work with the animals at an accredited zoo. She died doing what she loves, he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: california; hanson; kittyping; lionkills
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081 next last
And now the rest of the story:

She told her father she was frustrated that Cat Haven did not allow direct contact with animals.

"She was disappointed because she said they wouldn't let her into the cages with the lion and tiger there," said Paul Hanson, a Seattle-area attorney.

1 posted on 03/08/2013 5:43:42 AM PST by Uncle Chip
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip

The only thing I can think is thank goodness she died pretty quickly via a broken neck. I can’t even imagine being mauled by something that big. For whatever reason, many in our society have put “nice” attributes to wild animals. A lion is not cuddly.. it is a wild animal that will kill you.


2 posted on 03/08/2013 5:46:39 AM PST by momtothree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip

I guess people forget that the big cats are way, way much different from the little domestic house cats.


3 posted on 03/08/2013 5:47:48 AM PST by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: momtothree

They said on the news that the door to the cage had been left partially open so he was able to get his paw under there and lift it up.

What are the odds that this naive girl did that on purpose hoping that Cous Cous would lift up the door and come in to see her.


4 posted on 03/08/2013 5:55:11 AM PST by Uncle Chip
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: momtothree

Did you ever see the YT vid of the photographer who got out of his family’s car, with wife and baby still inside, to get “better shots” of 3-4 lionesses? They attacked and ate him alive, on camera. It was beyond awful, with his wife and child going apoplectic and another cameraman trying to “shoo” the huge cats away from their kill. I won’t go into details, but after watching it 3x several years ago, I can still close my eyes and visualize it all. His family sued the jungle park for his stupidity; legal outcome unknown to me.


5 posted on 03/08/2013 5:55:45 AM PST by Carriage Hill (AR-10s & AR-15s Are The 21st Century's Muskets. Free Men Need Not Ask Permission!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip

Why was the woman in a cage and why was a lion near the cage to begin with?


6 posted on 03/08/2013 5:57:02 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip
She died doing what she loves, he said.

Every time I see someone say that I cringe. I'm guessing that her last thoughts were NOT "WOW! It's really great that I'm getting killed by a lion."

7 posted on 03/08/2013 5:57:17 AM PST by from occupied ga (Your government is your most dangerous enemy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl

“I guess people forget that the big cats are way, way much different from the little domestic house cats.”

The primary difference is SIZE.

Lil’ Fluffums would happily go Full Predator on its doting owner if only it were large enough.


8 posted on 03/08/2013 5:59:16 AM PST by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is necessary to examine principles."..)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip
"The gate of the cage was partially open, which allowed the lion called Cous Cous to lift it up with his paw,"

Sounds like human error on her part that led to two avoidable deaths - her own and the lion's.


9 posted on 03/08/2013 5:59:34 AM PST by Iron Munro (I miss America, don't you?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip

I’m reminded of the lion scene from “Steelyard Blues”.


10 posted on 03/08/2013 6:00:15 AM PST by HartleyMBaldwin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip

Liberal moron. The other White meat...


11 posted on 03/08/2013 6:04:04 AM PST by BigCinBigD (...Was that okay?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GladesGuru

Even our sweet lovable kitty cats will do from time to time the swating action.


12 posted on 03/08/2013 6:04:22 AM PST by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip

Normally, the big cat would sail away with you in a life boat, and you’d land on an island populated with lots of easy prey for the cat. That’s what the movies taught me.


13 posted on 03/08/2013 6:04:48 AM PST by Larry Lucido
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: momtothree

That’s right. They are called “wild” animals for a reason. I don’t care how cute they look, if there wasn’t a cage between you and them, they will kill you. People get some deadly stupid ideas in their heads about animals sometimes. They don’t think like people. They want to eat people.


14 posted on 03/08/2013 6:04:50 AM PST by Opinionated Blowhard ("When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip; Slings and Arrows

PING this one over to you Slings And Arrows. :)=^..^=


15 posted on 03/08/2013 6:05:18 AM PST by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip

“Her father, Paul Hanson, described his daughter as a “fearless” lover of big cats and said her goal was to work with the animals at an accredited zoo. She died doing what she loves, he said.”

Funny, the lion also died doing what he loved best, eating liberal twits that get in his cage.


16 posted on 03/08/2013 6:05:21 AM PST by Beagle8U (Free Republic -- One stop shopping ....... It's the Conservative Super WalMart for news .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Larry Lucido

LOL


17 posted on 03/08/2013 6:07:11 AM PST by Uncle Chip
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Beagle8U

LOL


18 posted on 03/08/2013 6:08:26 AM PST by Uncle Chip
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl
“I guess people forget that the big cats are way, way much different from the little domestic house cats.”

Different only in that they are smaller. If they were as big as a lion they would kill you just for fun.

19 posted on 03/08/2013 6:08:52 AM PST by Beagle8U (Free Republic -- One stop shopping ....... It's the Conservative Super WalMart for news .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl

Really. If a house cat gets moody on you, you will get a nasty scratch. But if you get on the nerves of a big cat you will get agonizingly dismembered and maybe even eaten while still alive. Unfortunately many people-and the majority of the under-40 crowd-are oblivious to such basic practicalities. After all, it’s All About Them.


20 posted on 03/08/2013 6:14:24 AM PST by jboot (This isn't your father's America. Stay safe and keep your powder dry.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson