Lion Kills OAU Veterinary Worker During Feeding

The veterinary technologist overseeing the Zoological Garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, has tragically lost his life to a lion attack on the campus.

The institution’s management, through its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, released a statement detailing that the incident occurred while Olawuyi was feeding the animals in their enclosure at the garden.

Olanrewaju mentioned that despite the efforts of other staff present to rescue Olawuyi, the lion had inflicted fatal injuries on his body before they could intervene.

The statement party read, “The management, staff, students and the entire campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have been thrown into mourning following 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.

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“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.”

According to reports from PUNCH Metro, upon receiving the unfortunate news, the management team, headed by Vice Chancellor Prof Simeon Bamire, promptly adjourned their meeting to conduct an immediate on-the-ground evaluation.

“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 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, 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.