A tragic incident occurred at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) as Olabode Olawuyi, a long-time zookeeper, was fatally attacked by one of the lions under his care.
The university reported that Olawuyi was attacked while feeding the lions, and despite efforts from his colleagues, he succumbed to the injuries inflicted by one of the lions. The lion responsible for the attack was euthanized following the incident.
Olawuyi, who had been atending to the lions since their birth nearly a decade ago, was described as a dedicated veterinary technologist by the university’s spokesman, Abiodun Olarewaju. The sudden and tragic turn of events left the university community in mourning.
The university’s vice-chancellor, Prof Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
According to Abbas Akinremi, the students’ union leader, the attack was attributed to a human error when the zookeeper forgot to secure the enclosure after feeding the lions. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for enhanced safety protocols in zoo management.
In response to the tragedy, condolences were extended to Olawuyi’s family, emphasizing his kindness and dedication. Meanwhile, Abba Gandu, a veteran zookeeper with over five decades of experience, reflected on the unfortunate incident and stressed the importance of implementing stricter safety measures in zoo environments.