MEDIA STATEMENT: 30th MAY 2020

CONCERN OVER LIONS’ FATE FOLLOWING SHOALHAVEN ZOO ATTACK

Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst has raised concerns over the future of the two lions at Shoalhaven Zoo following an attack on zookeeper Jennifer Brown yesterday. Ms Brown was mauled by two lions while she was cleaning their enclosure, leading to serious bodily injury.

Please see statement below from Emma Hurst MLC:

My heart goes out to Jennifer Brown and her family following this horrific incident, and I wish her a quick and full recovery. It’s after shocking incidents like this that we need to question the continued captivity of wild animals and the risk it poses to human life, and to the mental health and wellbeing of animals forced to live in captivity.

This is not an isolated incident. There are thousands of incidents reported worldwide in which captive animals lash out in anger and frustration after suffering years of depravation and boredom. In 2014, Shoalhaven zookeeper Trent Burton sustained serious injuries to both his hands from a crocodile attack; in 2008 Arna the elephant killed her trainer, Ray Williams, by crushing him before a performance at Stardust circus; in August 2001, lion trainer Geoffrey Lennon, was mauled by three lions during a performance.

The incident at Shoalhaven this week is yet another tragedy involving captive animals and locals are concerned the situation could become more dire, as the fate of the zoo’s two lions remains uncertain.

The Animal Justice Party is calling for the lions to be safely retired to a reputable sanctuary and for an end to all captive breeding of wild animals for so-called entertainment. Wild animals belong in the wild - and this horrific and frightening incident has only reinforced that. 

MEDIA CONTACT: ROSINA RAYNS, 0401 991 792