A devastating event struck the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community as a 9-year-old male lion fatally attacked Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist who had nurtured the lion and its companions for nearly a decade.
The incident occurred during a routine feeding session at the university’s Zoological garden. Despite efforts from colleagues to rescue Olawuyi, the lion’s aggression resulted in fatal injuries.
Reacting swiftly, the university management, led by Vice-Chancellor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, halted ongoing activities for an immediate assessment. Medical personnel on site confirmed the tragic outcome despite attempts at first aid.
In response to the tragedy, the aggressive lion was euthanized, and the management extended condolences to Olawuyi’s family, emphasizing solace in faith during this difficult time. Furthermore, an investigation has been ordered to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This heartbreaking incident echoes similar tragedies involving human-wildlife interactions, such as a 2018 incident in South Africa where a young woman was fatally attacked by a lioness, and a 2022 case where a conservationist was killed by lions he had raised. These events serve as poignant reminders of the unpredictable nature of wild animals, even in captivity.
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