The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife Osun State has announced the death of a veterinary technologist, Olabode Olawuyi, who was attacked and killed by a lion in the university’s zoological garden today.
According to a statement released on Monday by Obafemi Awolowo University OAU, through its public relations officer Abiodun Olarewaju, a veterinary technologist, Olabode Olawuyi, was killed by a nine-year old lion in the process of feeding the beast at the institution’s zoological garden.
Abiodun gave more information on the lion’s age and how the lion has been fed by the deceased since it’s birth. He further described how Mr. Olawuyi was mauled during the feeding process at the zoological garden and how other staffers tried to rescue the deceased.
The statement read in part: “The management, staff, students, and the entire campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have been thrown into mourning following the untimely death of Olabode Olawuyi.
“Mr Olawuyi, a Veterinary Technologist, who had been in charge of the zoological garden for over a decade, was attacked this afternoon, Monday, 19th February, by a nine-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.
”The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Adebayo Bamire, who had abruptly ended an ongoing meeting and lead the management team to the scene, was briefed on how all the efforts put together by the Acting Director of the University Health and Medical Centre, Dr. Tirimisiyu Olatunji, to save the deceased proved abortive.
” The VC furthered ordered for a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident.
”The university ordered the death of the beast so as to maintain peace and orderliness in the community.
“Saddened by this tragic event, the aggressive lion has been euthanized. Mr Olawuyi has been taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about nine 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 to console them over the sad incident.
