A sturdy male lion lost her cool on Monday and gored a zookeeper while feeding the wild cat along with others in their den at the Zoological garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The lion said to be 9 – year – old attacked the victim, identified as Mr Olabode Olawuyi, who was a Veterinary Technologist, and killed him.
He was said to have been in charge of the Zoological garden for over a decade.
The Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju, who confirmed the homicidal act of the lion in a statement on Monday, said the victim had been handling the animal for over 10 years now.
The saddening incident, Olanrewaju added, compelled the management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Adebayo Bamire, to abruptly end an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment.
The varsity spokesman said the management had also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the lethal attack on the victim.
He said, “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.
“The other members of staff who were at the scene of the incident did everything within their power to rescue their boss but the wild cat had already caused severe fatalities.
“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 proved abortive.
“Saddened by this tragic event, the aggressive Lion has been euthanized.
“The University management has sent a delegation to the widow and children of the deceased, imploring them to take solace in God who gives life and also has the power to take life.”
