PICTURED: Glamorous zookeeper, 35, and the two lions that attacked her while she cleaned their cage leaving her fighting for life - as photos emerge of the first birthday party she threw them
by Alisha Rouse- Experienced big cat expert Jennifer Brown was viciously mauled by two lions
- She was air-lifted to hospital after being savagely attacked in the neck and head
- Ms Brown had been cleaning their cage on Friday when the pair pounced on her
- Paramedics described the rescue operation as 'the worst they'd experienced'
- Do you know more? Email alisha.rouse@mailonline.com
The experienced zookeeper who was horrifically mauled by two lions has been named as 35-year-old Jennifer Brown.
Big cat expert Ms Brown was pounced upon and savagely attacked in the neck and head as she cleaned a cage at the Shoalhaven Zoo in North Nowra on Friday morning.
Paramedics described the rescue operation as 'harrowing' as Ms Brown was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, after being found unconscious in the enclosure.
She suffered 'severe injuries' to her head and neck and is in a critical but stable condition after being saved by two quick-thinking colleagues.
They rushed in to stop the attack and secure the lions, young cubs Ariel and Juda, who celebrated their first birthday in October with a zoo party.
Pictures shared on the zoo's Instagram attack from the colourful celebration show the brothers enjoying a specially-made cake, banner and presents.
But just seven months later, they turned on Ms Brown, in an attack horrified paramedics described as 'absolutely harrowing'.
'This is one of the worst jobs I have ever experienced - I have never come across a job like this in my career,' NSW Ambulance duty operations manager Faye Stockmen said.
'The attack was extremely vicious and paramedics found the woman with severe injuries.
'It was absolutely harrowing. It is an incredibly dangerous situations, both for the patient and the paramedics.
She was worked on by paramedics for more than two hours before being airlifted to St George Hospital for treatment.
'There was some good work by the other employees at the zoo that responded swiftly and were able to secure the lions,' Detective Superintendent Greg Moore said.
'We will be working with authorities to make sure if there’s anything we can do to make these types of establishments safer, we will be doing our best to support that.'
Four ambulance crews and a rescue helicopter arrived at the scene and treated the woman before she was airlifted to hospital.
She suffered numerous lacerations her neck and head.
Superintendent Moore said emergency crews were called to the scene at about 10.30am on Friday.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Moore said police were beginning to investigate how the incident unfolded, South Coast Register reported.
'Early indications are that a female zoo keeper was tending to some cleaning duties in the enclosure and was set on by two lions in that enclosure,' he told reporters.
'I take this opportunity to commend the two zoo staff who reacted to the incident and were able to secure the lions and support their colleague.
'I'm advised that the two colleagues, once they secured the lions, assisted the victim and emergency services were able to provide treatment at that point.'
Daily Mail Australia contacted Shoalhaven Zoo who said they are not commenting on the incident at this time.
The zoo, about two hours and 20 minutes south of Sydney, is home to four big cats.
Visitors can pay $80 per person for the 'Lion Feeding Encounter'.
'Come face to face with our Roarsome Foursome and get to feed the 'King of the Savannah',' the website reads.
'Have the experience of a life time getting close to our Big Cats. Feel their power and majesty as you get to feed them with the help of one of our keepers.'
The family-owned zoo has been closed to the public since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
A post on the zoo's Facebook page said the family were continuing to live on site while they cared for the animals.
'While we are closed to the public we as a family will continue to live onsite and have key staff coming in to help us ensure the safety and wellbeing, cleaning and feeding of all our animals,' the post reads.
'We value our staff and it has been heart wrenching to stand down some staff. Stay safe everyone!
'Thank you for all your support and we look forward to seeing you all back at the zoo soon.'
The Facebook page received comments of support the mauling was reported on Friday.
'My hopes and thoughts are with the lady, her family and staff at Shoalhaven zoo today,' one person wrote.
'Hoping your keeper is okay and the lion does alright too,' another wrote.
The latest attack comes after another zookeeper was mauled by a crocodile in 2014.
Trent Burton, aged in his 30s at the time, was grabbed by a 3.7m crocodile, known as John, and dragged him into the water.
Onlookers were terrified to witness Mr Burton being attacked by the crocodile.
'I've seen them in the wild, lying on river banks, and have seen them at Steve Irwin's zoo, but never like this,' witness Marlene Orr told The Sydney Morning Herald at the time.
'It was too scary.'
Mr Burton was able to break free of the crocodile's grasp and escape the water.
He was treated for non-life threatening injuries to both of his hands and was taken to Shoalhaven District Hospital for treatment.
