A woman has sustained severe injuries to an arm when she was attacked by a lion at an Australian zoo. The Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland said the 50-year-old woman was watching animal keepers working in the zoo's carnivore precinct before opening hours Sunday morning when she was attacked.

The woman, described by the zoo as a "member of the family" was watching keepers in the enclosure when one of the animals attacked.

Scores of loyal park patrons have spoken out in support of Darling Downs Zoo after a zoo employee tragically lost their arm in a lion attack.