A 9-year-old male lion at the Zoological Garden of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, took the life of a zookeeper during a routine feeding on Monday,

The victim, Mr. Olabode Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist who had been in charge of the Zoological Garden for over a decade, met a tragic end while attending to the wild cats.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed the incident, stating, “Mr. Olawuyi has been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about 9 years ago, but tragically, the male lion killed the man who had been feeding them.”

Despite efforts from other staff members at the scene to rescue Olawuyi, the lion had already inflicted severe injuries.

The university’s management, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof Adebayo Bamire, quickly ended an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment upon hearing the news.

“Saddened by this tragic event, the aggressive lion has been euthanized,” Olarewaju added. The university management expressed condolences and dispatched a delegation to the deceased’s widow and children, urging them to find solace in God.

The university spokesperson announced that a comprehensive investigation into the incident’s immediate and remote causes has been ordered by the management.