Woman mauled by lion at QLD zoo identified as NSW teacher Joanne Cabban

A New South Wales teacher remains in hospital after a horrific lion attack at Darling Downs Zoo cost her an arm.

Joanne Cabban was visiting Queensland to see her sister when the attack occurred on Sunday, sending shockwaves through the local community and sparking an investigation into the popular tourist attraction.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: NSW teacher identified as victim of lion attack

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

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

Steve, the victims brother-in-law, fought back tears as he revealed new details about the attack during an emotional press conference on Tuesday.

He said the incident happened after the lions were placed inside a holding enclosure while his wife Stephanie and a carnivore keeper were cleaning out 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 occurred.

His sister-in-law was standing near the holding enclosure, and he believes this is when her arm was bitten.

“But it was all over in a split-second.”

Steve said the best explanation they could offer was that: “The lion was just playing,” describing the animals’ temperaments as “excellent” after being raised at the zoo from birth.

A quick-thinking keeper used a leather belt as a tourniquet.

The zoo reopened to the public on Tuesday, but lion encounters have been suspended indefinitely as the investigation continues.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has already served compliance orders on the facility, which marked its 20th anniversary just weeks ago.

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

“We’ve now got a lovely lady whose life has been altered.”

Cabban, who captured “wonderful photos” for the zoo’s yearly calendar., now faces a long road to recovery as investigations continue into exactly how the attack unfolded.