A 9-year-old male lion on Monday fatally attacked a zookeeper while the man was feeding the wild cats in their den at the Zoological garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The victim, identified as Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist, had been in charge of the Zoological garden for over a decade.
The Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.
“Mr. Olawuyi has been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about 9 years ago but, tragically, the male lion killed the man who had been feeding them.”
Despite efforts by other staff members who were present at the scene, the lion had already inflicted severe injuries on Mr. Olawuyi.
Management’s Response and Lion’s Fate
Upon hearing the tragic news, the university management, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Bamire, abruptly ended an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment.
Vice-Chancellor Bamire was informed by the Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre, Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, that all first aid and medical efforts to save the victim’s life proved abortive. Saddened by the event, the aggressive lion was euthanized.
The University management extended condolences to the widow and children of the deceased, urging them to find solace in God. A delegation was sent to offer support to the grieving family.
Investigation Ordered
The varsity management ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
In February 2018, a 22-year-old woman was mauled to death by a lion at a private game lodge near South Africa’s capital Pretoria. Similarly, in August 2022, a South African conservationist was killed by lions he hand-reared, according to the family.
