A zookeeper at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Nigeria was fatally mauled by a lion after leaving an enclosure unlocked during feeding time, according to multiple reports.
The victim, identified as Babaji Daule, 35, was a trained lion handler who had worked at the park for several years. The tragic incident occurred on the evening of September 28, 2024, outside of the park’s standard operating hours.
Daule reportedly fed the lion in its inner enclosure but he did not secure the safety protection gate. According to a statement from the park, “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.”
Park officials said that Daule had allowed some guests to observe the lion’s feeding routine even though this demonstration fell outside the park’s standard procedures. After the park had closed for the day, the guests reportedly convinced Daule to give them a private viewing. In their statement, the OOPL emphasized that the activity was entirely outside of the park’s usual feeding routine.
“The lion inflicted serious fatal injuries to the man’s neck,” police spokesperson Omolola Odutola told reporters. Despite the immediate response of park staff, Daule died at the scene.
To prevent further mutilation of Daule’s body, the lion was shot and killed by park personnel. The animal had been one of the park’s primary attractions, drawing many visitors each year. However, this incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols and management of wild animals in Nigerian zoos.
Daule’s body was transported to the Ijaye General Hospital for an autopsy, and his family has been notified of the tragic loss.
Less than a year ago, a similar incident took place at Obafemi Awolowo University in southwestern Nigeria, where a veterinary technologist, Olabode Olawuyi, was killed by a lion he had raised since its birth. The attack occurred while Olawuyi was feeding the animals, and despite his colleagues’ attempts to intervene, the lion inflicted fatal injuries before any assistance could reach him.
The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park remains closed to visitors as the investigation continues and additional safety measures are implemented to prevent future tragedies.
