Daud Olatunji
The management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State has explained how it’s Wildlife Park handler, a 35-year-old zookeeper from Bauchi State, Babaji Daule was mauled by a lion.
PLATFORM TIMES reports the fatal incident that occurred on Saturday.
While confirming the incident, the management of the park raised serious concerns over safety protocols at the facility.
According to an official statement released by the OOPL Wildlife Park, the unfortunate event transpired in the evening when Daule, agreed to conduct a private demonstration for a group of guests who arrived after the park’s official closing time.
The management further said that despite the park’s strict guidelines regarding feeding routines and safety, the zookeeper decided to showcase the lion’s feeding routine in the inner enclosure.
It added that it was during this demonstration that Daule, feeling overly comfortable with the animal, neglected a critical safety measure—leaving the protection gate open.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that the lion, taking advantage of the situation, attacked Daule, causing severe injuries that resulted in his immediate death.
The management expressed its deep sorrow over the loss and clarified that the activity carried out by the zookeeper fell outside the standard operating procedure.
“This activity was not part of the park’s scheduled feeding routine,” the statement read.
“In an effort to prevent further mutilation of Daule’s body, park personnel were forced to put down the lion shortly after the attack.
Earlier,the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the OOPL reported the tragic event to the police at around 7:40 am on Saturday morning.
PLATFORM TIMES further learnt that this negligence resulted in the lion escaping from its cage and launching a fatal attack on the handler.
The zookeeper sustained injuries to his neck, leading to his death on the spot.
Following the attack, Daule’s remains were swiftly removed from the scene and transported to Ijaye General Hospital mortuary in Abeokuta.
The park authorities said they had to euthanize the lion to subdue it and recover the victim’s body.
The Ogun State Police Command has also confirmed the incident, with its Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, stating that investigations are ongoing.
In its statement, the OOPL Wildlife Park extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and promised to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“We wish to assure the public that the park is committed to the highest standard of safety and protection both for visiting members of the public, wildlife staff, and the animals,” the management stated.
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