Police begin probe as lion kills keeper in Obasanjo library

The Ogun State Police Command says it has begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of a zoo keeper, Babaji Daule, at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park, Abeokuta, the state capital.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a telephone conversation with PUNCH Metro on Sunday.

Odutola had earlier stated that Daule, a 35-year-old native of the state, reportedly forgot to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.

The lion was said to have escaped as a result of the carelessness and attacked Daule, causing fatal injuries to his neck.

Odutola said, “The Chief Security Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library informed the Divisional Police Officer that a 35-year-old man named Babaji Daule from Bauchi State, who was a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden in OOPL, Abeokuta, tragically lost his life.

“It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade 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 his neck and eventual death.”

She added that the remains of the victim were taken to the State Hospital morgue at Ijaye, Abeokuta, while the lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.

In a follow-up conversation with our correspondent, Odutola said an investigation has commenced into the matter.

She said, “An investigation has commenced into the incident. The public will be informed of further findings.”

The management of the park, in a statement sent to journalists on Sunday, said it was also probing the incident.

The management stated that the incident occurred when some guests arrived after the park’s closing time.

The statement noted that the zookeeper had agreed to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure.

“The zookeeper, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety gate open and proceeded to feed the lion. He was attacked and killed on the spot.

“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by the 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 statement concluded.

On February 20 that the veterinary technologist in charge of the Zoological Garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Olabode Olawuyi, was killed by a lion on the campus.

The institution’s management had in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, explained that the incident happened when the deceased was feeding the animals in their den in the garden.

Olanrewaju had disclosed that other members of staff who were at the scene of the incident did everything within their power to rescue the deceased. Still, the wild cat had already caused severe fatalities on his body.

Meanwhile, the management of Wildlife Park of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta on Sunday mourned the death of Daule killed by one of the lions kept in the park.

The management disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

The statement partly reads, “This evening, a zookeeper with the OOPL Wildlife Park was tragically mauled to death.

“The zookeeper, at the heeding of some guests who came after the closing time of the park, agreed to take the guests to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure.

“The zookeeper, apparently feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety protection gate open and proceeded to feed the animal. He was mauled by the animal and died on the spot.

“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by the personnel of the park. It is important to state that this activity fell completely out of the standard feeding routine of the park.”

While commisserating with  the family of the deceased, the management said that investigations had begun, and the matter had since been reported to the police for investigation.

The management equally assured the public that the park was committed to the highest standard of safety and protection for visiting members of the public, wildlife staff and the wildlife itself.