Police said the Lion handler neglected laid down procedure to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure
By Kehinde Okeowo
Police have confirmed the death of 35-year-old zookeeper, Babaji Daule, who was killed on Saturday by a lion at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Daule was reportedly mauled down while approaching the cage to feed the lion on Saturday.
According to a statement by the management of the zoo, the deceased was trying to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure after the park’s closing time to some guests.
He, however, neglected laid down procedure to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure.
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The statement read, “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 personnel of the park. It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park.”
Speaking on the incident on Sunday, Ogun State Command police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola said the lion attacked the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to his neck, which eventually led to his death.
She said, “On September 28, 2024, at about 7:40 a.m., 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 is 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 of 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 the handler’s neck and eventual death.”
Odutola further added that Daule’s corpse has been deposited at the mortuary in Ijaye General Hospital, Abeokuta.
