By Abolade Oluwatobiloba
A devastating incident occurred at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Saturday, September 28, 2024. A 35-year-old zookeeper, Babaji Daule, was fatally attacked by a lion that escaped from its enclosure due to negligence.
Daule, a trained handler from Bauchi State, suffered fatal neck injuries while demonstrating the lion’s feeding routine to guests after official hours. An investigation revealed careless handling of the lion’s cage led to the tragedy.
The lion was shot to release its grip on Daule, and his body was taken to Ijaye General Hospital’s mortuary.
OOPL Wildlife Park management expressed condolences and emphasized adherence to safety protocols when interacting with wild animals. This incident highlights the risks associated with working with wild animals and the need for stringent safety measures.