The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife has approved the killing of a lion at its institution’s zoological garden through euthanasia.
The university gave the order after the animal attacked and killed a veterinarian, Olabode Olawuyi, yesterday.
Spokesman for the institution, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, who disclosed this in a statement, said the deceased had been in charge of the nine-year-old male cub since its birth on the campus.
Olarewaju said Olawuyi was killed while feeding the lions in their den in the zoological garden adding that efforts by other workers to rescue the deceased proved abortive.
On hearing the sad news, the OAU spokesman said the institution’s management team led by the vice chancellor, Prof Adebayo Bamire, visited the facility where the deceased was admitted but was informed on arrival by the acting director of the university’s health and medical centre, Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji that all first aid and medical efforts could not save the victim’s life.
Olarewaju said the “aggressive lion has been euthanised.”
The statement reads: “Mr Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist, who has been in charge of the zoological garden for over a decade, was attacked this afternoon, Monday, 19th February 2024, by a 9-year-old male lion when he was feeding them in their den at the zoological garden of the university.
“The other members of staff who were at the scene of the incident did everything within their power to rescue their boss, but the wild cat had already caused severe fatalities.
“On hearing the sad news, the management team, led by the Vice Chancellor, abruptly ended an ongoing meeting for an on-the-spot assessment.
“Vice chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, was informed, on arrival, by the acting director of the university health and medical centre Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, that all first aid and medical efforts to save the life of the victim proved abortive.
“Saddened by this tragic event, the aggressive lion has been euthanised.
“Mr Olawuyi has been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about 9 years ago but, tragically, the male lion killed the man who had been feeding them.
“The university management has sent a delegation to the widow and children of the deceased, imploring them to take solace in God who gives life and also has the power to take life.
“Meanwhile, the vice chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.”
