Tragedy struck at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Nigeria when a veteran zookeeper, Olabode Olawuyi, was fatally attacked by one of the lions he had cared for over nearly a decade. The incident occurred during a routine feeding session on Monday, with colleagues unable to intervene in time to save him, as stated by the university.
Olawuyi, a skilled veterinary technologist, had nurtured the lions since their birth on campus approximately nine years ago, according to university spokesperson Abiodun Olarewaju. The male lion, unexpectedly, turned on Olawuyi during feeding, leading to the tragic outcome.
Expressing deep sadness over the incident, the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Students’ union leader, Abbas Akinremi, characterized the event as regrettable, attributing it to “human error” stemming from the zookeeper’s failure to secure the enclosure after feeding. Akinremi also fondly remembered Olawuyi for his kindness and dedication to the students.
Abba Gandu, a seasoned lion feeder at a zoo in Kano, Nigeria, emphasized the need for enhanced safety protocols following the incident. Despite the tragedy, Gandu affirmed his unwavering commitment to his work, recounting his own challenges, including an incident where a baboon bit him.
The university community is in mourning, with condolences extended to Olawuyi’s family. Additionally, in a similar incident in India, a man lost his life after entering an unauthorized section of a zoo in Tirupati and encountering a lion. Authorities at the Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park reiterated the importance of adhering to safety regulations to prevent such tragedies.
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