The Police Command in Ogun says a male lion has killed its handler at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Zoological garden in Abeokuta.
SP Omolola Odutola, the Spokesperson for command, who confirmed this in a statement on Sunday, noted that the incident occurred at about 7:40p.m on Saturday.
Odutola stated that the deadly incident was reported at the Area Command Metro by the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of OOPL.
According to the police spokesperson, the CSO informed that 35-year-old Babaji Daule from Bauchi State, who is a trained handler of a male lion at the zoological garden in OOPL, tragically lost his life in the incident.
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“It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.
“This negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to the handler’s neck and eventual death,” she said.
Odutola added that the victim’s body was removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital, Abeokuta.
She noted that the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.
Management speaks…
Also speaking on the incident in a statement on Sunday, the park’s management said the incident occurred when some guests arrived after the park’s closing time.
At their behest, the zookeeper agreed to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure.
“The zookeeper, feeling comfortable with the lion, left the safety gate open and proceeded to feed the lion. He was attacked and killed on the spot,” the statement read.
“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park.
“It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park.
“Investigations have begun, and the matter has since been reported to the police for their investigation,” the park’s management added.
