- Tragedy struck at Obafemi Awolowo University’s Zoological Park when a hungry lion mauled zookeeper Olabode Olawuyi on February 19.
- A new video shows the moment some staff members shot the lion dead with a dane gun.
Tragedy struck at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife Zoological Park when a nine-year-old lion, in a state of hunger, savagely attacked zookeeper, Olabode Olawuyi, resulting in severe injuries.
The distressing incident unfolded on Monday, February 19, and was captured in a chilling video that circulated online. Olabode Olawuyi, a highly experienced Veterinary Technologist with over ten years of service, had been responsible for the management of the Zoological garden at OAU.
The heart-wrenching footage depicted the aftermath of the lion’s attack, with Olawuyi lying motionless and bloodied on the ground while shocked colleagues expressed their grief.
Determined not to let the lion escape repercussions for its actions, one staff member can be seen brandishing a firearm, ultimately firing a shot at the beast.
The gunshot pierced the air, striking the lion and causing it to recoil in pain. The wounded animal, visibly affected by the injury, staggered before collapsing and ultimately succumbing to its wounds.
The University’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, issued a statement acknowledging the tragic incident and extending heartfelt condolences to Olabode Olawuyi’s bereaved family.
Watch the video below:
BREAKING: OAU Lion kills zookeeper during feeding.
A 9-year-old male lion on Monday
killed a zookeeper while feeding the wild cats in their den at the Zoological garden of the Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife. pic.twitter.com/gehkuBaA32— Swagcash lee (@swagcashlee) February 20, 2024
Reacting to the video, One @triplechief_ochinanwata1 wrote: “That’s so sad and bad, what did he do? Lions don’t just kill that way.”
adebayo_adeyemo1 wrote: “A lion that tastes human blood can not be kept again. The best is to kill it. There is nothing like animal cruelty. It will keep hunting for humans. And when did the life of a lion supersede that of a human?”
veeeee_ wrote: “It’s how most of “you” lack empathy in this comment section! Only God knows the torture he went through while he was being devoured by the lion, Nobody deserves to die this way. Rip to the dead💔.”
olamip0si wrote: “This is Animal cruelty . You forget that’s a wild animal. That’s their nature. You then locked them in a compound. They are wild animals and they don’t belong there. You tested his Patience. If it was abroad that lion will only be transferred from that Zoo and not get killed.”
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