Olabode Olawuyi, a staff member of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife Zoological Park, was sadly killed by a nine-year-old lion in the zoo.
Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist, had been in charge of the University’s Zoological Garden for more than ten years, according to a statement issued by Abiodun Olarewaju, the Public Relations Officer for the University.
“Mr. Olawuyi has been taking care of the lions on campus since they were born, around nine years ago. But in a tragic turn of circumstances, the man who had been caring for them was attacked by the male lion.
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Even with the assistance of additional staff members on the scene, Olawuyi had already suffered deadly injuries from the lion.
“Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre, Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, notified Vice-Chancellor Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE upon arrival that all first aid and medical interventions failed to save the victim’s life.”
The University had to make the painful choice to put the hostile lion to death in reaction to the incident. Furthermore, a delegation from the management has been sent to the wife and children of the deceased to convey condolences and advise them to seek comfort from God.
In addition, a comprehensive inquiry of the incident’s circumstances has been started in order to identify the incident’s immediate as well as underlying reasons.
