Shoalhaven Zoo has confirmed the two young lions that mauled a keeper last week will not be euthanised.
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Zoo owner Nicholas Schilko made the announcement in a statement on Thursday where he also said the injured keeper Jennifer Brown was making a good recovery in hospital.
"We're staying in constant touch with our keeper Jen Brown and her family, and are enormously relieved to report that she is recovering from lacerations that she received when visiting the lions' den," he said.
The 35-year-old keeper was cleaning the lion enclosure when the attack occurred on May 29. She sustained injuries to her head and neck, leaving her fighting for life.
Mr Schilko stated that the zoo had launched an immediate investigation after the incident occurred to understand how the keeper had been injured and to review its safety and workplace health procedures.
There is also an investigation underway by SafeWork NSW and the matter is being considered by the regulatory body, the Department of Primary Industries NSW.
"The zoo is fully assisting the SafeWork investigation to understand all the facts," Mr Schilko said.
"We have a small and close-knit team at Shoalhaven Zoo and right now our priority is supporting their safety and wellbeing.
"We'd like to thank our staff, the responding agencies including paramedics and the wider zoo family who have rendered amazing support to the zoo at this time.
"There's not a huge amount of information that I can add at this stage, as these enquiries are currently underway.
"I can say that Jen knows these lions, who are 18 months old, very well and has a history of positive interaction with them.
"The keepers who went to her aid indicated that the two young lions showed no aggression, but it's tragic that this interaction has resulted in serious lacerations to their keeper."
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