Lion kills zookeeper at OAU campus

A veterinary technologist at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Olabode Olawuyi, was attacked and killed by a lion he was feeding.

Olabode, who works in the zoological department and was in charge of the lion, was said to be feeding it in its den when he was attacked by the wild cat.

Efforts to rescue the man from the lion by other staff in the department proved abortive, which eventually led to the death of Olabode.

In a statement issued by the university on Monday and signed by Abiodun Olanrewaju,  the university’s Public Relations Officer, the deceased had been in charge of the nine-year-old lion and was taking care of the wild cat since it was born on campus.

He said the news of the incident threw the university community into mourning as the management abruptly ended its meeting on hearing of the sad incident, saying the cat had been put to death humanely.

The statement reads, “Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist, who has been in charge of the Zoological Garden for over a decade, was attacked this afternoon, Monday, 19th February, 2024, by a 9-year-old male lion when he was feeding them in their den at the Zoological Garden of the University.

“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.

“On hearing the sad news, the management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, abruptly ended an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment.

“Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, was informed, on arrival, by the Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre, Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, that all first aid and medical efforts to save the life of the victim proved abortive.

“Saddened by this tragic event, the aggressive lion has been euthanized.

“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.

“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.

“Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.”