He Thought He Could Handle the Lion – But the Encounter Took a Deadly Turn!

A tragic incident unfolded at a wildlife park in Abeokuta, Nigeria, when a lion fatally attacked a zookeeper in front of horrified visitors. The zookeeper, identified as Babaji Daule, 35, was carrying out his routine duties at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park when the tragic event occurred.

According to reports, Babaji was in the process of feeding the lion when the attack happened. In a shocking error, he left a crucial safety gate open, allowing the lion to approach him. Witnesses stated that Babaji, who had experience working with the animals, appeared too comfortable with the lion, leading to the fatal oversight. The park later confirmed in a statement: “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.”

Authorities acted swiftly in response to the attack. In a statement, the park explained that to prevent the further mutilation of Babaji’s body, staff had no choice but to euthanize the lion. “To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park,” the park shared. Omolola Odutola, a police spokesperson, confirmed the lion was put down as a safety measure and that Babaji was pronounced dead at approximately 7:40 am on Saturday.

The shocking incident has sparked concerns and conversations around zoo safety regulations and the handling of dangerous animals in Nigerian wildlife parks. Many are questioning how such a fatal mistake could happen and whether sufficient safety protocols are in place to protect both staff and visitors at zoos. The tragedy has prompted calls for a review of zoo management practices, with a focus on stricter oversight when dealing with potentially dangerous animals like lions.

The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park is a well-known facility in Nigeria. Its website promotes its mission of wildlife conservation, educating the public, and supporting tourism. The park houses more than 140 indigenous and exotic species, including lions, hyenas, pythons, and various bird species. It also runs an Animal Adoption Programme to help fund the upkeep of the animals, encouraging visitors and patrons to contribute to conservation efforts.

This event, while isolated, has drawn significant public attention to the risks associated with wildlife parks. The death of Babaji Daule is a tragic reminder of the dangers inherent in working with wild animals, even for experienced handlers. As one of the park’s long-serving employees, Babaji’s loss is being mourned not only by his colleagues but also by the community who regularly visited the wildlife park. The park’s management has expressed their condolences to his family and vowed to investigate the circumstances leading up to the incident.

As the story continues to develop, Nigerians are calling for stricter safety measures in all zoos across the country, particularly when handling dangerous animals. The need for proper regulations, training, and emergency protocols is becoming more evident in the wake of this tragedy.

The wildlife park’s history and its contribution to conservation efforts make this incident even more striking, as it raises questions about the balance between protecting animals and ensuring human safety. While the park remains a popular destination for tourists, the tragic death of Babaji Daule has left an indelible mark on the facility’s legacy.

In light of this unfortunate event, the public will likely continue to scrutinize wildlife parks and demand improved safety measures to prevent future tragedies.