12°c Light drizzle
17°c Mainly cloudy
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
'Fearless' lion lover dead after paw swipe
Dianna Hanson (CP)
DUNLAP, Calif. -- A lion that killed a woman at a privately owned Central California zoo escaped from a feeding cage and attacked while she was cleaning his enclosure, authorities said Thursday.
Fresno County Coroner David Hadden said Dianna Hanson, a 24-year-old intern described by her father as a "fearless" lover of big cats, died instantly when the five-year-old lion broke her neck.
Hanson had been working for two months as an intern at Cat Haven, a 40.4-hectare exotic zoo east of Fresno. The large enclosure where Hanson was killed includes a smaller cage where animals can be confined for feeding or when the large space is being cleaned.
The lion known as Cous Cous somehow managed to open the gate, said Hadden, who was briefed by investigators.
"The lion had been fed, the young woman was cleaning the large enclosure, and the lion was in the small cage. The gate of the cage was partially open, which allowed the lion to lift it up with his paw," said Hadden. "He ran at the young lady."
Hanson's father said his daughter's goal was to work with big cats at an accredited zoo and she died doing what she loves. Paul Hanson, a Seattle-area attorney, described her as a "fearless" lover of big cats.
That love was apparent on her Facebook page, which is plastered with photos of her petting tigers and other big cats. She told her father she was frustrated Cat Haven did not allow direct contact with animals.
"She was disappointed because she said they wouldn't let her into the cages with the lion and tiger there," Hanson said.
The owner of the zoo said Thursday safety protocols were in place but he would not discuss them because they are a part of the law-enforcement investigation. Dale Anderson said he's the only person allowed in the enclosure when lions are present.
The lion, which had lived at the park since it was a cub, was later shot by Fresno County sheriff's deputies who were trying to reach her body.
Autopsy results revealed woman died quickly of a broken neck, possibly from a paw swipe by the 250-kilogram (550-pound) lion, and the numerous bites and scratches she sustained were inflicted after she died.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 8, 2013 A18
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 12 articles for today)
Overnight stabbings probed
8:37 AMWinnipeg police are investigating a pair of early-morning stabbing incidents.
A man in his 20s was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening ...
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Woman drove into river on purpose
- Rare comic book featuring debut of Superman found insulating abandoned house in Minnesota
- Systemic approach to voter interference 'extremely worrisome': Trudeau
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 'I do not use crack cocaine': Ford ends week of silence on crack video scandal
- City's first urban reserve born
- Police searching for suspect who woke sleeping teen
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Catching up with Arrested Development's Bluth family
- Toews 'disappointed' U.S., Canada at loggerheads over meat labeling regulations
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Youth faces murder charge in Pauingassi First Nation death
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- City's first urban reserve born
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.