A tragic incident occurred at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Nigeria, where a zookeeper, Olabode Olawuyi, lost his life to a lion attack. Olawuyi, who had dedicated nearly a decade to caring for lions at the university's zoo, was feeding the animals on Monday when the attack happened. Despite attempts by his colleagues to intervene, one lion inflicted fatal injuries on him, leading to his death, the university confirmed. Following the incident, the involved lion was euthanized.
Olawuyi, a 51-year-old veterinary technologist, had nurtured the lions from their birth on the campus approximately nine years ago. The university's spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, expressed shock over the attack, highlighting the unexpected nature of the lion's aggression towards Olawuyi, who had a long history of caring for these animals.
The university's vice-chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed deep sorrow over the loss and has called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the tragic event.
The incident sparked discussions on safety protocols, with Abbas Akinremi, the student union leader, suggesting that a lapse in securing the enclosure might have contributed to the tragedy. He remembered Olawuyi as a kind and approachable individual who was well-regarded by students and staff alike.
Veteran zookeeper Abba Gandu from Kano, with over 50 years of experience in lion care, labeled the incident as regrettable and called for enhanced safety measures to prevent future occurrences. Gandu, undeterred by the incident, shared his passion for continuing his work with lions, despite having faced dangers himself, such as being bitten by a baboon.
The community and social media users have shown an outpouring of grief, with many sharing condolences and highlighting the need for stringent safety measures in zoo management. The university has extended its sympathies to Mr. Olawuyi's family, reflecting the profound impact of the loss on the campus community.
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