By A 35-year-old zookeeper was mauled to death by a lion at the Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Nigeria, after failing to secure the animal’s enclosure during a feeding routine, local police reported Sunday.
The incident occurred Saturday evening at the facility owned by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in Ogun state. Police spokesperson Omolola Odutola stated that “the lion inflicted serious fatal injuries to the man’s neck.”
According to a statement from the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the zookeeper, identified as Babaji Daule, had taken guests to observe the lion’s feeding after regular hours. “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,” the statement read.
To prevent further mutilation of the body, park personnel were forced to put down the lion immediately.
This tragic event comes less than a year after a similar incident at Obafemi Awolowo University, also in southwestern Nigeria, where another zookeeper was killed by a lion.
The back-to-back fatalities have sparked concerns about zoo safety protocols and wildlife management in Nigeria. Critics are calling for a review of regulations governing animal handling and zoo operations across the country.
“These incidents highlight the need for stricter safety measures and better training for zoo staff,” said Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a wildlife conservation expert at the University of Ibadan, who was not involved in the incident. “We must ensure that both animals and humans are protected in these environments.”
The Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks announced it would be conducting an urgent review of safety protocols at all member institutions in light of the recent tragedies.
As investigations continue, the incident has reignited debates about the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity and the risks associated with human-wildlife interactions in controlled environments.
Local authorities have stated that a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the zookeeper’s death will be conducted, with findings to be made public upon completion.
