The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has confirmed the tragic death of one of their staffers, Olabode Olawuyi, in their Zoological Park.
Mr. Olawuyi was killed by a nine-year-old lion in the zoo on Monday, February 19, 2024. A statement released by the public relations officer of the University, Abiodun Olanrewaju, said Olawuyi, until his untimely and painful death was a Veterinary Technologist and had been in charge of the Zoological Garden for over a decade.
“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.’’
We learnt that other members of staff who were at the scene of the incident did everything within their power to rescue their boss, to no avail.
The 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 also proved abortive.
The aggressive lion, meanwhile, has been euthanized while the University management has sent a delegation to the widow and children of the deceased, imploring them to take heart.