TODAY

TODAY   |  March 11, 2013

Mom of lion victim: ‘I’m pleased’ park is re-opening

The California wild animal sanctuary where an intern was killed by a lion last week reopened on Sunday, and a letter from the victim’s mother was read saying that the family has no ill will toward the park. NBC’s Mara Schiavocampo reports.

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>>> the california wild animal sanctuary where an intern was killed by a lion last week reopened sunday. more from mara schiavocampo.

>> reporter: a moment of silence, after last wednesday when a 4-year-old male lion named cous cous attacked her. the owner wanted to reopen the park because of hanson 's dedication to big cats .

>> dianna would be adam ant that we continue on with what we're doing.

>> it appears as if dianna was cleaning the cage and feeding the cats.

>> reporter: moments later the cat escaped from his feeding pen, attacking hanson and dragging her 30 yards away. it appears the door to the cage had been left open.

>> we believe this was just an accident.

>> reporter: another worker tried to lure the lion away from hanson and called 911. the 400-pound cat was shot and killed by sheriff's deputies. a written message from hanson 's mother was read by a cat haven employee.

>> i'm living every mother's worst nightmare in losing a cherished child. i'm pleased that cat haven is reopening today and i share in their sorrow and the loss of cous cous .

>> reporter: mara schiavocampo, nbc news, new york.