North Carolina wildlife conservatory Lion kills 22-year-old worker

A lion housed at a North Carolina wildlife conservatory killed a 22-year-old worker on Sunday after it got loose from a locked space, authorities said.

The Caswell County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that deputies shot and killed the lion to allow officials to reach the victim, identified as Alexandra Black of New Palestine, Ind., after efforts to tranquilize the beast failed.

According to the Conservators Center, a “husbandry team” led by a professionally trained animal keeper was carrying out a routine cleaning when the lion got out. The center said it wasn’t immediately clear how the lion left the area.

“The Conservators Center is devastated by the loss of a human life today,” said the statement, which added that the center would be closed until further notice.