It was tragedy at the Zoological Garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Monday when a 9-year-old lion attacked and fatally wounded a longtime zookeeper during a routine feeding session.
The victim, Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, a seasoned Veterinary Technologist who had been caring for the lions since their birth approximately nine years ago, tragically fell victim to the male lion’s aggression.
Confirming the incident, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, revealed that despite valiant efforts by university staff to rescue Olawuyi, the lion had already inflicted grave injuries. The news prompted an immediate response from the university’s management team, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Adebayo Bamire, who halted an ongoing meeting to assess the situation firsthand.
Upon arrival at the scene, Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, the Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre, informed Vice-Chancellor Bamire that all medical attempts to save Olawuyi’s life had proved futile.
In the wake of the tragic incident, the university management made the difficult decision to euthanize the aggressive lion as a precautionary measure. Furthermore, a delegation was promptly dispatched to offer condolences and support to the grieving family of the deceased, urging them to find solace in their faith during this trying time.
The university has since initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, aiming to identify both immediate and underlying causes. This unfortunate event has underscored the need for enhanced safety protocols and measures at the Zoological Garden to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
