Shoalhaven Zoo on the New South Wales South Coast says two lions that attacked one of its zookeepers will not be euthanased.
The attack on May 29 left Jennifer Brown fighting for her life with head and neck injuries.
The 35-year-old was cleaning the lion enclosure when the attack occurred.
Zoo owner, Nicholas Schilko, has released a statement clarifying the animals' future.
"The lions involved in the incident will not be euthanased, and the care and welfare of all the zoo's animals remained a top priority."
There has been widespread interest in the future of the animals and calls for them to be spared.
Mr Schilko said Ms Brown had a strong connection with the animals.
"I can say that Jen knows these lions, who are 18 months old, very well and has a history of positive interaction with them," he said.
"The keepers who went to her aid indicated that the two young lions showed no aggression, but it's tragic that this interaction has resulted in serious lacerations to their keeper."
Keeper making good progress
Mr Schilko said Ms Brown was making good progress.
"We're staying in constant touch with our keeper Jen Brown and her family, and are enormously relieved to report that she is recovering from lacerations that she received when visiting the lions' den," he said.
"We have a small and close-knit team at Shoalhaven Zoo and right now our priority is supporting their safety and wellbeing."
Ms Brown remains in hospital and has regained consciousness.
Along with investigations launched by SafeWork NSW, Mr Schilko said the zoo launched a review of its safety and workplace health procedures.
"The zoo is fully assisting the SafeWork investigation to understand all the facts," he said.
"There's not a huge amount of information that I can add at this stage, as these enquiries are currently underway.
"We'd like to thank our staff, the responding agencies including paramedics and the wider zoo family who have rendered amazing support to the zoo at this time."
