Olabode Olawuyi, a staff member of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun state, tragically lost his life on Monday after being attacked by a lion he was responsible for feeding. Olabode, who worked in the zoological department, was carrying out his duties when the lion, under his care, turned aggressive and attacked him, OAU.
Despite efforts from fellow staff members to rescue Olabode, their attempts were unsuccessful, resulting in his untimely demise. The news of the incident plunged the University community into mourning, prompting the management to halt an ongoing meeting for an immediate assessment of the situation.
According to Abiodun Olarewaju, the Public Relations Officer of the school, the lion involved in the attack, a nine-year-old male, has since been euthanized to prevent any further harm. Olabode, a Veterinary Technologist who had been overseeing the Zoological garden for over a decade, was carrying out his routine feeding duties when the tragic incident occurred.
OAU
Despite receiving immediate medical attention from the University Health and Medical Centre, all efforts to save Olabode’s life proved futile. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, was briefed on the severity of the situation upon his arrival at the scene. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks associated with working closely with wild animals, even within controlled environments like zoological gardens.
