Park intern was on phone just before lion attacked

photo An officer guards the gate Wednesday near at the entrance of Cat Haven, the exotic animal park in central California where a 26-year old female volunteer intern was killed by a lion in Dunlap, Calif.

DUNLAP, Calif. - Authorities say the intern fatally attacked by a lion at a California exotic animal park was talking with a co-worker on the phone in the moments before she was killed.

Fresno County coroner David Hadden said the co-worker became concerned when the conversation ended abruptly and 24-year-old Dianna Hanson failed to call back.

Hadden says Hanson was cleaning an enclosure when investigators believe the lion may have used its paw to lift a partially opened door of a smaller cage, but the investigation continues.

The 550-pound lion broke Hanson's neck with an apparent swipe of the paw.

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