9-year old ‘OAU lion’ attacks, kills zoo keeper

A staff of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Olabode Olawuyi was on Monday 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 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 Olabode’s death.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the school, Abiodun Olarewaju said the deceased was attacked while feeding the nine-year-old lion in its den.

He said the news of the incident threw the University community into mourning as the management ended its meeting abruptly on hearing of the sad incident, saying the wild cat had been euthanized.

It 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.”