It might be noted that the situation was unfortunate all around certainly but first responders were dealing with a loose lion who was likely pretty alarmed and unpredictable. Police don't carry that kind of hardware and the time it takes to go find that equipment [or calling an animal control crew etc.] just wasn't available.

I don't know if the place was otherwise secure...perhaps they may have been able to evacuate keeping the lion contained but seriously, all this info gathering and the time it would take to implement an alternative plan would be too large a risk. After all in seconds one person was dead and a loose pissed off 400/500 pound lion is what it is. Loose outside the perimeter wasn't a chance they could hazard.

Sad when I learned the young woman had referred to it as her dream job. She loved being around these animals no doubt. Zoos etc., will always be and seeing these animals in the flesh may be interesting but would be depressing as hell for me. I'll pass.