A lion escaped an locked enclosure at a wildlife conservatory in Caswell County and killed the recently hired intern,a young woman there as reported in a news release.
According to the wildlife conservatory, the tragedy took place when a “husbandry team” led by a professionally trained animal keeper was carrying out the routine cleaning of the closure and somehow one of the lion managed to flee from a locked area and attacked Alexandra Black, 22, during cleaning at the Conservators Center in southern Caswell County north of Pleasant Grove at about 11:30 a.m on Sunday.
It is unsure how the lion escaped the locked enclosure.The lion was instantly shot and killed to let Caswell County workers to rescue the worker.
Ms Black,a fresh graduate from Indiana University, started working at the North Carolina wildlife park for about two weeks. Black has a passion for zoological industry and was not a staff member but was working under the supervision of a staff member, according to Stinner,the center’s executive director.
Stinner said Safety is an essence attribute of running any zoological park. “This is not a situation we’ve ever had before.,” she said.The visitors present during the incident were safely and hurriedly taken out of the park.
Its website reveals the zoological park currently houses more than 80 animals, including tigers, small wild cats and and more than 21 species.Presently they have 15 lions in captivity.It recommends guided walking tours near the animal enclosures.The park is regulated the US Department of Agriculture, Stinner said.
The center at 676 E. Hughes Mill Road will be closed until further notice, officials said.The center said.”the Conservators Center is devastated by the loss of a human life today,”
North Carolina Zoo is said to be the largest walk-through zoo in the world, and one of only two state-owned zoos in the United States.
