In a shocking turn of events, a 9-year-old male lion at the Zoological Garden of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has fatally attacked Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, a seasoned Veterinary Technologist and caretaker of the lions for over a decade.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Monday during the routine feeding of the wild cats in their den. University authorities were quick to confirm the heartbreaking news through a statement from the Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju.
According to Olarewaju, despite the valiant efforts of the staff present at the scene, the lion’s aggression had already caused irreparable harm to Mr. Olawuyi. The university’s management, led by Vice Chancellor Prof Adebayo Bamire, promptly interrupted an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment.
Upon arrival, the Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre, Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, conveyed the tragic news that all first aid and medical interventions to save the victim had proven futile. To prevent further danger, the aggressive lion was euthanized.
In a gesture of empathy, the university’s management has dispatched a delegation to offer condolences and support to the family of the deceased. The statement emphasized the need for solace in the divine, recognizing the power that both gives and takes life.
The management has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of this unprecedented incident. This incident echoes similar tragic occurrences, including a 2018 lion attack near Pretoria and a 2022 incident in which a South African conservationist was killed by lions he had hand-reared.
The OAU community mourns the loss of Mr. Olabode Olawuyi and awaits the findings of the ongoing investigation to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.
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