A lion at Granby Zoo attacked an employee Monday, fracturing the woman's backbone, said the director of the zoo.
The victim, a woman in her 20s, is in stable condition in a Sherbrooke, Que. hospital and is conscious. Her injuries are "severe," said zoo director Paul Gosselin.
"What we know is that she suffered a cervical fracture and a few lacerations," Gosselin said. "She is stable and was conscious throughout the whole intervention, from the time emergency crews got here to her transportation to hospital."
Granby police said they received a call at 9 a.m. on Monday morning, and assisted emergency medical services and zoo personnel at the scene.
Police and zoo officials held a short press conference Monday morning, during which they said the woman, an employee since 2011, was “responsible for the maintenance of the animals.”
The employee was performing the “regular morning drill,” including preparing food, when she was attacked and bitten in the lion's den, said zoo director Paul Gosselin. Another keeper was able to chase the lion off with a high-pressure water hose.
The zoo has three lions and all were confined and not on display for visitors Monday.
The circumstances of the attack are under investigation.
"The zoo is one big family and when something like this happens we are all affected by it," Gosselin said, adding the zoo has offered counselling to employees who need it.
Granby is located approximately 80 kilometres east of Montreal.
With files from Canadian Press
