A lion at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has kill3d its handler, Babaji Daule.
Daule, 35, was reported kill3d while approaching the cage to feed the lion on Saturday. According to a statement by the management, the deceased, a trained handler of a male lion, agreed to take some guests to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure after the park’s closing time.
He was said to have neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s enclosure. “The zookeeper, apparently feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety protection gate open and proceeded to feed the animal. He was ma¥led by the animal and di3d on the spot.
To prevent further m¥tilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park. It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park,” the management said.
Confirming the incident to newsmen on Sunday, police spokesperson Omolola Odutola said the lion atta3ked the handler, resulting in fatal inj¥ries to his neck, which eventually led to his d3ath. She said, “On September 28, 2024, at about 7:40 a.m., the Chief Security Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library informed the Divisional Police Officer that a 35-year-old man named Babaji Daule from Bauchi State, who is a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden in OOPL Abeokuta, tragically lost his life.
It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal. This negligence allowed the lion to escape and atta3k the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to the handler’s neck and eventual d3ath.”
According to her, the corpse has been deposited at the mortuary in Ijaye General Hospital, Abeokuta.
