The police command in Ogun has confirmed that a male lion has killed its handler at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Zoological park in Abeokuta.
SP Omolola Odutola, the Spokesperson who disclosed this in a release on Sunday, noted that the incident occurred on Saturday.
She said that the deadly incident was reported at the Area Command Metro by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of OOPL.
According to her the CSO informed that 35-year-old Babaji Daule from Bauchi State, who is a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden in OOPL tragically lost his life.
” It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.
” This negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to the handler’s neck and eventual death,” she said.
Odutola added that the victim’s body was removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital.
She noted that the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.
In a statement by the OOPL Wildlife Park management on Sunday, the zookeeper was tragically mauled to death.
” The zookeeper, at the heeding of some guests who came after the closing time of the park, agreed to take the guests to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure.
” The zookeeper, apparently, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety protection gate open and proceeded to feed the animal. He was mauled by the animal and died on the spot.
” To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park.
” It is important to state that this activity fell completely out of the standard feeding routine of the park.
” Investigations have begun, and the matter has since been reported to the police for their investigation.
” The park commiserates with the family of the deceased,” the statement stated.
The management assured the public that the park is committed to the highest standard of safety and protection both for visiting members of the public, wildlife staff and for the wildlife itself.
