The Management of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park, Abeokuta, the state capital, has blamed of zoo keeper, Babaji Daule, who was killed by a lion over the weekend, for the fate that befell him.

It attributed the tragedy to the 35-year-old Daule?s carelessness during an unauthorized duty.

Giving the official version of what happened on Saturday, September 28, 2024, the management said in a statement released on Sunday: ?This evening, a zookeeper with the OOPL Wildlife Park was tragically mauled to death.

?The zookeeper, at the heeding of some guests who came after the closing time of the park, agreed to take the guests to demonstrate the feeding routine of the lion in its inner enclosure.

?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.

?To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by the personnel of the park. It is important to state that this activity fell completely out of the standard feeding routine of the park.?

While commiserating with the family of the deceased, the management said that investigations had begun, and the matter had since been reported to the police for investigation.

The management equally assured the public that the park was committed to the highest standard of safety and protection for visiting members of the public, wildlife staff and the wildlife itself.

Eralier, the Ogun State Police Command in a statement signed by the Spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, said that Daule, a 35-year-old native of the state, forgot to secure the locks and barricade the lion?s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.

According to the statement, ?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 was a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden in OOPL, Abeokuta, tragically lost his life.

?It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade the lion?s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal.

?This negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to his neck and eventual death.?

Odutola disclosed that the remains of the victim were taken to the State Hospital morgue at Ijaye, Abeokuta, while the lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.