A lion in the zoological garden of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun State has attacked and killed Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist working at the institution, who was said to be in charge of the lion since it was born on campus.
Penpushing reports that the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju made this known in a statement on Monday and gave the age of the animal as nine, adding that the victim was mauled by the animal during feeding at the zoological garden.
The statement added that efforts by other workers to rescue the deceased proved abortive, stressing that the lion was eventually put to death in a humane manner following the death of the official, to allay the fear of members of the community
‘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 Olabode Olawuyi’, the statement reads.
‘Mr Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist, who had been in charge of the zoological garden for over a decade, was attacked this afternoon, Monday, 19th February, by a nine-year-old male lion when he was feeding them in their den at the Zoological Garden of the university’, Olanrewaju added
Penpushing further reports that the statement added that Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof Adebayo Bamire, was reported to have led the management members to the scene of the incident for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
The statement explained that the Vice-Chancellor and his team who abruptly ended an ongoing meeting to visit the scene were briefed on the failed efforts to rescue the deceased by the Acting Director of the institution’s Health and Medical Centre, Tirimisiyu Olatunji.
‘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. On hearing the sad news, the management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, abruptly ended an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment’.
‘The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon 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.”
Penpushing also reports that Olanrewaju said the university already 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.”
The statement added that the development threw the university into mourning, and that to allay the fear of members of the community, the university ordered that the dangerous animal be made to die humanely, while the Vice Chancellor has ordered “a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
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