A Birmingham, Alabama zoo worker is recovering this evening after being attacked by a lioness.
Nineteen-year old "Sheba," the zoo's lone female lion, mauled the unidentified zookeeper around 7:40 am central time.
It's not known how severe the zookeeper’s injuries are, but she was taken to a local hospital for treatment, where she remains under physicians' care.
A zoo spokesperson reported an investigation is ongoing to see what prompted the attack.
In the meantime the lioness has been placed in a holding area while the cause is determined.