Olabode Olawuyi, a dedicated veterinary technologist with over a decade of experience at the zoological garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, met a tragic end on Monday when a 9-year-old male lion attacked him during a routine feeding.
The incident, confirmed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, unfolded as Olawuyi was attending to the wild cats in their den.
Olarewaju revealed that despite the efforts of other staff members who rushed to rescue their boss, the lion’s aggression had already caused severe fatalities.
Upon learning of the incident, the university’s management, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Adebayo Bamire, immediately halted an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment.
Tirimisiyu Olatunji, acting director of the university health and medical centre, reported that all first aid and medical attempts to save Olawuyi’s life proved futile.
In response to the tragic event, the aggressive lion has been euthanized. The university’s management extended condolences to the family, sending a delegation to the widow and children of the deceased.
“The University management has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident,” stated Olarewaju.
This unfortunate incident brings to mind other recent lion-related tragedies, including a 2018 case where a 22-year-old woman was fatally mauled by a lion near Pretoria and an incident in August 2022 where a South African conservationist was killed by lions he hand-reared.
As investigations unfold, questions arise about the safety protocols in place at the OAU Zoological Garden and the broader implications for wildlife management in captivity.
