A 35-year-old zoo worker, Babaji Daule, was killed by a lion on Saturday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Zoological Garden in Abeokuta
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident on Sunday in a statement by its spokesperson, Omolola Odutola.
Daule, a lion handler from Bauchi State, reportedly forgot to properly 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 him, inflicting fatal injuries to his neck. His body was later taken to Ijaye General Hospital mortuary.
Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola confirmed the incident, stating, “A deadly incident involving a wild animal attack was reported on September 28, 2024. The lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the enclosure, allowing the lion to escape and attack the handler, leading to his tragic death.”
The zoo’s management also released a statement explaining that the incident occurred after the park had closed. Some guests, arriving late, had requested a demonstration of the lion’s feeding. The zookeeper, feeling confident, agreed and left the safety gate open during the feeding process. He was attacked and killed on the spot.
The management confirmed that the lion was immediately shot to prevent further harm. They emphasized that the feeding demonstration fell outside the park’s standard routine and assured that investigations are underway. The police are also conducting their own investigation into the matter.
