A zookeeper at a Nigerian university was killed by one of the lions he had cared for for nearly a decade.
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Zoo Director Olabode Olawi was attacked while feeding lions, the university has announced.
His colleagues were unable to save him as one of the lions had already fatally wounded him, the university added. The lion was euthanized.
Mr Olawi, a veterinary technician, has been caring for the lion “since it was born on campus about nine years ago.”
“But tragically, the male lion killed the man who was feeding him,” said university spokesperson Abiodun Olarewaju.
Nigerians took to social media to share graphic images of abuse at a university in the southwestern state of Osun.
University officials were in mourning and a delegation visited Mr. Olawi’s family to express their condolences.
The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, said he was “saddened” by the incident and ordered a thorough investigation.
Students’ Union leader Abbas Akinremi told Nigeria’s Vanguard newspaper that the attack was caused by “human error” when zookeepers forgot to lock the door after feeding the lions. Told.
He said the incident was unfortunate, but also praised Olawi, saying he was a “good and humble man who took care of me every time I went to the zoo.
“Abba Gandu, who has been feeding lions at a zoo in Kano, northern Nigeria, for more than 50 years, said Monday’s incident was unfortunate and said more safety measures were needed.
“This incident has no impact on me personally because I want to feed the lions until I die,” said Gandu, who started feeding lions in 1971.
He added that his worst experience was getting his finger bitten by a baboon he was trying to feed.