A zookeeper was killed by a lion at a Nigerian wildlife park when he approached the cage to feed the beast.
Babaji Daule, 35, was killed after he agreed to show some of the park’s visitors the lion’s feeding routine after closing time, the Daily Post Nigeria reported.
Daule, a trained handler of the male lion, was comfortable enough with the powerful cat, but “left the safety protection gate open,” and was “mauled by the animal and died on the spot,” according to a statement issued by management of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta in Ogun State.
“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park,” park management added.
“It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park.”
It is unclear if Daule had permission to take the guests into the closure after hours.
Police said the victim died after suffering fatal injuries to his neck.
“On September 28, 2024, at about 7:40 a.m., 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 is a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden in OOPL Abeokuta, tragically lost his life,” police spokesperson Omolola Odutola said.
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“It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal,” she detailed.
“This negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to the handler’s neck and eventual death.”
Odutola added: “The wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.”
Management of the wildlife park expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, according to the outlet, and reassured the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety of its employees, visitors, and the animals themselves.