Volunteer killed by lion at private animal park in California

A female volunteer has been killed by a lion at a private wild animal park in Central California.

Cat Haven founder Dale Anderson was crying as he read a one-sentence statement about the fatal mauling at the exotic animal zoo he has operated since 1993.

The 26-year-old intern was attacked and killed on Wednesday when she entered the lion’s enclosure, Mr Anderson said, but he refused to answer questions or provide more details.

He said Project Survival would investigate to see if the woman and another worker who was on-site followed the group’s protocols.

“We take every precaution to ensure the safety of our staff, animals and guests,” he said in a written statement

Sheriff’s deputies responding to an emergency call from Cat Haven, in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Fresno, found the woman severely injured and still lying inside the enclosure with the lion nearby, Fresno County sheriff’s lieutenant Bob Miller said.

Another park worker had unsuccessfully tried luring the lion away and into a separate pen.

Deputies shot and killed the animal so they could reach the wounded woman, who died at the scene, Mr Miller said.