A lion has mauled Babaji Daule, one of its handlers, to death at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred at the closing time on Saturday when the zookeeper was carrying out the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure.
Daule, 35, hailed from Bauchi State.
A statement from the park’s management explained that 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,” the statement indicated.
The management said the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park in order to prevent further mutilation of the body.
“It is important to state that this activity fell completely out of the standard feeding routine of the park,” it explained.
The management said investigations have begun, as the matter was reported to the police for their investigation.
The Police Spokesman, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, saying it was reported by the Chief Security Officer of the presidential library.
“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 the handler’s neck and eventual death,” Odutola said.
She explained that the victim’s body was removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital.
