Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Coroner: Intern Attacked By Lion Died Almost Instantly From Paw Swipe After Animal Escaped Cage
A young woman who was fatally attacked at a private cat sanctuary yesterday was killed almost instantly when the lion took a swipe at her, according to a report from the coroner's office.Dianna Hanson, 24, died quickly of a broken neck when a 4-year-old male lion named CousCous attacked her at Project Survival's Cat Haven outside of Fresno, according to Fox News. Although the lion later tossed her body, scratched and bit her, Hanson was likely already dead at that point, said Fresno County Coroner David Hadden.
The coroner also said that she was not inside the lion's cage. She was inside a large play and exercise area. He said the lion "escaped" from the cage into the area where she was and attacked her. Authorities had not commented on exactly where her body was found up until this point.
Hanson knew that she was not supposed to be in the same area with the lion (and if the coroner is correct, she apparently she wasn't). However, her father told The Associated Press that Hanson is frustrated that she was not allowed to have contact with the large cats.
Paul Hanson told the AP, "She was disappointed because she said they wouldn't let her into the cages with the lion and tiger there."
Support for LAist comes from
Her Facebook page and several images circulating show Hanson posing with cats both large and small, like this:
Related:
24-Year-Old Intern Fatally Mauled By Lion Knew She Shouldn't Go Inside His Cage
Lion Mauls Volunteer At Exotic Cat Haven: 'Someone Just Got Too Close'
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility. -
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism.
Best of LAist