In the wake of the tragic incident that saw a woman lose her arm from a lion attack the weekend before last, Darling Downs Zoo owner Steve Robinson has been overwhelmed by local community support.

The sister of Mr Robinson’s wife Stephanie, was attacked by the lion on Sunday, 5 July and flown to hospital in Brisbane for surgery.

Mr Robinson told On Our Selection News his sister-in-law, a teacher from New South Wales, is a regular visitor to the zoo, visiting during the school holidays over the past 20 years for a total of over 80 visits.

“She doesn’t enter enclosures and she doesn’t touch adult animals to our knowledge,” he said.

“She shadows Steph as she works and takes photos that she uses on calendars for us and other family members – each month featuring different animals.

“The incident on Sunday was, in all probability, due to human error but we don’t know yet just what error or why.”

Mr Robinson said despite the experience, his sister-in-law is remarkably positive.

“My sister-in-law is recovering well in hospital in Brisbane,” he said.

“She has an amazingly positive attitude to how she will shape her life going forward.

“I doubt that I could be so positive if I was in her place.”

Mr Robinson said his family sincerely thanks the local community for its support at what has been one of the worst times of their lives.

“We have had people coming up with chocolates, home baked cakes and slices, home cooked frozen meals and flowers,” he said.

“The number of emails has been phenomenal.

“We just can’t respond to all of them but we would like everybody to know that they have been a great comfort to us all and to Steph’s sister.

This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 17 July 2025.
Related story: Lion attack at zoo.