More details have emerged on the circumstances that led to the death of a Veterinary Technologist at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Olabode Olawuyi after a 9-year-old male lion attacked him during feeding on Monday.
OSUN DEFENDER had reported how the zookeeper lost his life to one of the lions he had been taking care of for close to a decade.
While the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olanrewaju said Olawuyi died after several efforts from his colleagues to rescue him proved abortive after the attack.
OSUN DEFENDER also gathered that the late veterinary technologist died as he tried to rescue a female worker in the garden, who took over from him.
According to the source who craved anonymity, the late Olawuyi came to the rescue of the female worker who had been attacked by the lion after feeding.
The lady was said to have sustained injuries and was able to leave the scene but the late zookeeper was unable to maneuver his way as the animal went for his life.
Another report which is yet to be confirmed has it that the lion was hungry, hence its immediate desire to attack the zoo official who had been feeding the male Lion and others for close to a decade.
In his reaction, the Students Union President of the University, Abass Akinremi told newsmen that the incident was due to human error.
Akinremi said, “The incident was not due to any complacent management but to unfortunate human error on the part of the deceased. He forgot to lock the gate after feeding the lion.
“He was a good and humble man, who attended to us nicely whenever we went to the zoo. The incident is unfortunate, and we pray to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
“Meanwhile, the lion has been killed, and we are not under any apprehension as a result of the incident. The campus is calm, and we are all fine.”
The varsity spokesman further added that the management had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
