The owner of Darling Downs Zoo has refuted a former employee’s story about how a woman lost her arm in a lion attack at the premises.

Joanne Cabban was visiting her sister at the Queensland zoo on Sunday morning when she was attacked by the lioness, losing her arm in the horrific incident.

Cabban’s own sister, zoo owner Stephanie Robinson, took off her leather belt to use as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

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The NSW teacher remains in a stable but sedated condition at Princess Alexandra Hospital, where she faces further surgery following the traumatic incident.

The incident also prompted a WorkSafe Queensland investigation, with the zoo reopening on Tuesday but suspending its popular lion encounters indefinitely.

A former staff member, who did not want to be named, on Wednesday claimed Cabban was walking a dog outside the enclosure when she put her arm in to pat the lioness.

“She was walking the dog past the lion enclosure and put her arm through to pat the lions — as the owners normally do,” the former employee told www.20304050.best.

Steve Robinson, who owns the zoo alongside Stephanie, refuted the former employee’s story on Thursday.

“The owners of the zoo have never walked their dogs through the zoo in 20 years,” he said.

“The lady involved has three dogs that have never visited the zoo – they stay in a boarding kennel near where they live in NSW and are there right now.”

‘She certainly was not in the enclosure’

The zoo is run by Steve and Stephanie Robinson, with Stephanie being Cabban’s sister.

During an emotional press conference on Tuesday, Steve fought back tears as he provided details about the attack.

He said the incident happened after the lions were placed in a holding enclosure while his wife Stephanie and a carnivore keeper were cleaning their main enclosure.

“She certainly was not in the enclosure — nobody goes into the enclosure with adult lions in this zoo, so we can rule that out entirely,” Robinson said, dismissing speculation about how the attack on Cabban occurred.

Robinson said his sister-in-law was standing near the holding enclosure when her arm was bitten, describing it as happening “in a split-second”.

The zoo maintains standard safety protocols were followed.

“She is not an employee, a keeper or a zoo visitor,” the zoo said earlier.

“She is a much loved member of the zoo owners’ family.”

Zoo and authorities respond to investigation

Steve Robinson defended the lions’ temperament in a press conference earlier this week, describing them as “excellent” after being raised at the zoo from birth.

He said the best explanation they could offer was “the lion was just playing”.

The zoo has confirmed the animal involved “would not be put down or punished in any way”.

Despite the tragedy, Robinson said community support has been overwhelming, with visitors continuing to show support for the zoo and its staff.

Cabban, who had been taking photos for the zoo’s yearly calendar, now faces a long road to recovery as the investigation continues.

Darling Downs Zoo was put up for sale in March for $6 million, the second time the family has attempted to sell it since 2023.

The Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) said it was “in close contact with the zoo, who is currently working with Queensland Workplace Health and Safety and other state authorities, as they investigate the incident.”

“The Zoo and Aquarium Association’s thoughts are with the individual, their family and the staff impacted by the Darling Downs Zoo incident,” a ZAA spokesperson said.

The association declined to provide further information.

WorkSafe Queensland has been contacted for comment.