On Monday, a 9-year-old male lion killed a zookeeper while feeding wild cats in their lair at Obafemi Awolowo University‘s Zoological Garden in Ile-Ife.
The victim, Mr Olabode Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist, is claimed to have been in charge of the Zoological Garden for over ten years.
Abiodun Olarewaju, the university’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the occurrence in a statement released on Monday.
He stated, “Mr Olawuyi has been caring for 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.”
“The other members of staff who were at the scene of the incident did everything within their power to rescue their boss but the wild cat had already caused severe fatalities.”
Olarewaju stated that upon hearing the tragic news, the management team, lead by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Bamire, abruptly stopped an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot review.
“When Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE arrived, the Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre, Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, informed him that all first aid and medical measures to save the victim’s life had failed.
“Saddened by this tragic event, the aggressive Lion has been euthanized.
“The University management has sent a delegation to the widow and children of the deceased, imploring them to take solace in God who gives life and also has the power to take life,” he added.
The varsity spokesman said the management had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.