OAU
Tragedy as lion kills zookeeper in OAU
A zookeeper at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) was killed, on Monday, by a lion at the school’s zoo.
The school’s spokesman, Abiodun Olarewaju, identified the victim as Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist, who has been in charge of the Zoological garden for over a decade.
He said the victim was attacked on Monday afternoon when he was feeding the nine-year-old male lion and its mates in their den.
He also said 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.
The management team, led by Vice-Chancellor, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, was said to have ended an ongoing meeting abruptly and rushed to the scene.
The Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, informed the Vice-Chancellor that all first aid and medical efforts to save the life of the victim proved abortive.
The university authorities have directed that the aggressive lion be euthanized.
Indeed, the victim has been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about nine years ago but, tragically, the male lion killed the man.
The university management has sent a delegation to the widow and children of the deceased, imploring them to take solace in God who gives life and also has the power to take life.
Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Bamire has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
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