The father of a 24-year-old Washington state woman who was killed by a lion at an exotic animal park in Central California says his daughter had always loved big cats and considered her internship at Cat Haven "just a dream job."

Paul Hanson of Lynnwood says he drove down to California with his daughter, Dianna, at the first of the year so she could start her six-month volunteer internship. He says she gave him a little tour, showing him the lion Cous Cous that authorities say killed her. Hanson said his daughter had told him that she would not be allowed to go into the cage with the lion.

Cat Haven founder and executive director Dale Anderson said the intern was attacked and killed when she entered the male African lion's enclosure. Hanson says he has talked to Anderson but has gotten no more details.

Hanson says his daughter had worked with big cats before and was "absolutely fearless."