A lion on the campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has mauled to death Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, the veterinary technologist in charge of the Zoological Garden.
The institution’s management in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, said that the deceased was feeding the animals in their den at the garden when the incident occurred.
Olanrewaju said that the staff members who witnessed the incident tried their best to save the deceased, but the wild cat had already inflicted fatal injuries on his body.
The statement partly read, “The management, staff, students and the entire campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, are in grief over the untimely death of Mr. Olabode Olawuyi.
“A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that Mr Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist, who had been in charge of the Zoological Garden for over a decade, was attacked this afternoon, Monday, February 19, 2024, by a nine-year-old male lion when he was feeding them in their den at the Zoological Garden of the university.
“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.”
Upon hearing the sad news, the management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Simeon Bamire, cut short their meeting for an immediate assessment.
“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 euthanised. Mr Olawuyi had been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about nine years ago but, tragically, the male lion killed the man who had been feeding them”.
The university said it had sent a team to the widow and children of the deceased, urging them to find comfort in God who gives life and also has the power to take life.
“Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident,” the statement further read.
