A tragic incident has unfolded at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park in Ogun State, where a zookeeper lost his life after being attacked by a lion.
According to a statement from the park’s management on Sunday, the incident occurred when a group of visitors arrived after the park had officially closed.
At their request, the zookeeper agreed to demonstrate the lion’s feeding routine inside its enclosure.
“The zookeeper, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety gate open and proceeded to feed the lion. He was attacked and killed on the spot,” the statement said.
The park’s management explained that the lion was immediately put down to prevent further mutilation of the body.
“It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park,” the statement added
“Investigations have begun, and the matter has since been reported to the police for further investigation.”
Confirming the incident, the Ogun State Police Command identified the deceased as 35-year-old Babaji Daule, a lion handler from Bauchi State.
Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the command, told DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS that Daule had failed to properly secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed it.
Odutola added that Daule’s oversight reportedly allowed the lion to escape, leading to the fatal attack, which caused severe neck injuries. The body was later taken to Ijaye General Hospital mortuary, and the lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.
