Darling Downs Zoo has reopened its gates days after a woman in her 50s had her arm town off by a “playing” lion as co-owner reveals the zookeeping community is still “coming to grips” with the incident.

Days after a woman lost her arm in a shocking lion attack at a Queensland zoo, frightening footage has resurfaced of a staff member snuggling up to a lion behind a fence.

Queensland's Darling Downs Zoo has re-opened two days after a woman lost her arm after being mauled by a lion. The woman is from New South Wales and is a family member of the zoo's owners. She's been visiting the zoo for 20 years and was well aware of safety precautions.