Posted on 03/07/2013 2:52:57 PM PST by ilovesarah2012
DUNLAP, Calif. (AP) - Authorities are trying to determine what provoked a lion at an exotic animal park in Central California to attack and maul to death a 24-year-old intern from Washington state.
She was attacked and killed Wednesday when she entered the male African lion's enclosure at Cat Haven, about 45 miles east of Fresno, authorities said. Sheriff's deputies found her severely injured and still lying inside the enclosure with the lion nearby, said Fresno County sheriff's Lt. Bob Miller.
Another park worker couldn't lure the lion into another pen, so deputies shot and killed it to safely reach the wounded woman, but she died at the scene, he said.
Paul Hanson, a Seattle-area attorney, identified the victim as his daughter, Dianna Hanson, of the north Seattle suburb of Brier, Wash. He said he dropped her off at Cat Haven on Jan. 2 for a six-month internship.
"It was just a dream job for her," he told The Associated Press late Wednesday, adding that she hoped to parlay work at the facility into a job with a zoo later in the summer. He said she gave him a little tour and showed him the lion Cous Cous that authorities said killed her.
Hanson said his daughter had worked with big cats before and "was absolutely fearless," though she told him she would not be allowed to go in the lion cage.
(Excerpt) Read more at komonews.com ...
Years ago we went on "safari" to Tanzania.We were in a Land Rover in Ngorongoro National Park when we came upon a pride (or part of a pride) of lions just lying around.We get *really* close and I,along with several others,gasped in fear as we approached.The guide,to set our minds at ease,said "don't worry,they've just eaten".Those suckers were *big*...particularly the male we saw.
I don't think the lion should have been shot. I think the person that chose to pen up the animal(s) should be shot.
Gotta ask the most important question...Was she a registered Democrat or a decent person?
The lion “lionized” her.
fr_freak, your checklist cracked me up. This level of sarcasm is why I love this site so much. :-)
She had been told she couldn’t go into the cage, yet I’m sure she thought she had a special relationship with the lion. Fatal mistake for them both.
The lion was raised from a cub, FYI.
That’s a really sick and twisted thing to say (or think).
7) did her lover run away naked into the bushes?
It’s a shame that the lion had to die, through really no fault of its’ own.
"Paul Hanson, a Seattle-area attorney, identified the victim as his daughter, Dianna Hanson....He said he dropped her off at Cat Haven on Jan. 2 for a six-month internship."
Failed test one: never enter lion enclosure if lion also present.
Authorities are trying to determine what provoked a lion at an exotic animal park in Central California to attack and maul to death a 24-year-old intern from Washington state.
We were in Kenya years ago watching the lions one night when we got a flat. That was the quickest tire change I have ever seen outside of NASCAR!
“The Circle......the Circle of Life.”
The coroner now states that the lion was in a temp. ‘holding’ cage while it’s ‘home’ cage was being cleaned by the young lady. Evidently the holding cage’s latch was improperly set and not fully latched and the lion was able to use it’s paw to completely unlatch it and get back into his home cage and kill her. Sad story.
was she having her period? The scent of blood might set off the lion.
Yes, I know: some claim grizzly bear attacks on women with their periods is a myth but any woman who has been sniffed or worse by male dogs knows the animals are attracted by the smell...
And why did she enter the cage: for work? and if it was her job, why did she do it without someone else there with her?
Never go into a lion’s den unless you’re well armed!
And never touch his remote control.
My attitude towards animals has changed a lot since I’ve had (and lost) a dog I loved.
I don’t think the lion should have been shot. I think the person that chose to pen up the animal(s) should be shot.
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I’m confused. You kept a dog, presumably in an enclosed space (house, yard) until it died, and now you think folks who enclose animals should be shot?
But everyone has a different way of handling things, I guess. When my favorite golden retriever passed a few years back, I went out and filled the hole in my heart with another (but different breed) dog. Actually I got 2.
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