By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
A middle aged zookeeper at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park, Abeokuta, identified as Babaji Daule was on Saturday, killed by a lion in the zoo
The management of the OOPL Wildly stated in a statement that the zookeeper was tragically mauled to death by the lion.
In the statement, the Management stressed that the zookeeper allegedly 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” it said.
The Management added, ” To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park”.
” It is important to state that this activity fell completely out of the standard feeding routine of the park”.
According to the Management, ” Investigations have begun, and the matter has since been reported to the police for their investigation”.
The statement stressed further “The park commiserates with the family of the deceased”.