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Max attacks a Busch Gardens' zoo keeper as family, friends watch.
By LOGAN MABE
© St. Petersburg Times, published May 13, 2002
TAMPA -- A zoo keeper's right arm was bitten off at the elbow Sunday when a 350-pound lion attacked as she gave her parents and boyfriend a private tour at Busch Gardens.
The 21-year-old woman was flown to Tampa General Hospital, where she was in serious condition Sunday night. Officials would not say whether efforts were made to reattach the limb.
Her name was not released.
Glenn Young, the theme park's vice president of zoological operations, said the woman was giving a "private, behind-the-scenes visit of the lion's night quarters" to her parents, boyfriend and a friend about 1:45 p.m.
Max, the 12-year-old African lion, and a female lion are kept at night behind iron bars. The woman and her visitors were outside the cage, and officials did not know how the lion got hold of the woman's arm.
Young said the tour was not unusual and had been authorized by a supervisor.
"This appears to be a freak accident at this point," he said.
He said no visitors saw the attack except the woman's family and friends.
The woman has worked at Busch Gardens for about a year and was specially trained in handling animals in the Edge of Africa exhibit.
"I think she was very familiar with the animals. She was very proud of what she does as a zoo keeper," Young said.
Because the accident happened away from patrons, park operations were unaffected. Roller coasters rolled, beer taps flowed, and Edge of Africa visitors looked in on giraffes and hyenas.
When not in their cage, Max and the lioness are let onto the range for visitors to view in their natural habitat.
Max has been with the theme park since 1997. He will continue to be on display, but Young said safety procedures will be reviewed.
"We'll re-evaluate everything and look to find out what happened and make changes if necessary," Young said.
An inspector with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission inspector went to the hospital Sunday.
Spokesman Gary Morse said the hospital would not show the inspector records, and the family refused to be interviewed. Inspectors will visit Busch Gardens today.
"Any time we have captive wildlife and an injury occurs, we investigate," he said.
Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said the attack was the first serious animal mishap at the park since 1989, when an elephant crushed to death its 33-year-old handler, Joseph Allen.
-- Times staff writer Amy Herdy contributed to this report.