A 9-year-old male lion fatally attacked and killed a zookeeper, Mr. Olabode Olawuyi at the Zoological garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, (OAU).
Okay.ng gathered that the victim, Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist who had been overseeing the Zoological garden for over a decade, met his untimely demise during what was supposed to be a routine feeding session for the lions.
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, expressed sorrow over the loss in a statement on Monday.
According to Olarewaju, Mr. Olawuyi had been caring for the lions since their birth on campus about nine years ago.
However, despite his familiarity with the animals, the male lion unexpectedly turned aggressive, leading to the fatal attack. Despite the efforts of other staff members to rescue him, the injuries inflicted by the lion proved fatal.
Upon learning of the tragic event, the university management, led by Vice Chancellor Prof Adebayo Bamire, promptly halted an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment. Medical personnel on-site confirmed that despite their best efforts, they were unable to save Mr. Olawuyi’s life.
In response to the incident, the aggressive lion was euthanized to prevent further harm. The university management also dispatched a delegation to offer condolences and support to the deceased’s family, urging them to find solace in faith during this difficult time.
Furthermore, the university management has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of the tragic incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
