OGUN POLICE TO BEGIN PROBE AS LION KILLS ZOOKEEPER IN OBASANJO LIBRARY
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The circumstances surrounding the death of zookeeper Babaji Daule at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in the state capital of Abeokuta have reportedly been investigated by the Ogun State Police Command.
In a phone conversation on Sunday, Omolola Odutola, the command’s public relations officer, revealed this.
Odutola had earlier said that Daule, a 35-year-old state resident, apparently entered the lion’s cage to feed it without first locking it and blocking its entrance.
Because of Daule’s negligence, the lion was claimed to have escaped and attacked him, fatally injuring his neck.
Odutola said, “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 was 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 the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.
“This negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to his neck and eventual death.”
She added that the remains of the victim were taken to the State Hospital morgue at Ijaye, Abeokuta, while the lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.
In a follow-up conversation with our correspondent, Odutola said an investigation has commenced into the matter.
She said, “An investigation has commenced into the incident. The public will be informed of further findings.”
The management of the park, in a statement sent to journalists on Sunday, said it was also probing the incident.
The management stated that the incident occurred when some guests arrived after the park’s closing time.
The statement noted that the zookeeper had agreed to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure.
“The zookeeper, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety gate open and proceeded to feed the lion. He was attacked and killed on the spot.
“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by the personnel of the park. It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park.
“Investigations have begun, and the matter has since been reported to the police for their investigation,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the management of Wildlife Park of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta on Sunday mourned the death of Daule killed by one of the lions kept in the park.
The management disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
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