Zookeeper Mauled to Death by Lion After Leaving 'Safety Protection Gate Open' During Feeding: Reports

Mar. 15, 2025

On the evening of Saturday, Sept. 28, trained handler Babaji Daule, 35, was fatally mauled at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, per theBBCand local newspapers theDaily Post Nigeria, theDaily Independentand thePremium Times.

According to the BBC, OOPL confirmed the incident occurred while Daule, from Bauchi, was taking guests to see the lion’s feeding routine after hours.

A stock photo of a lion.Getty

Getty

“It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park,” OOPL added in a statement, according to theDaily Post Nigeria.

Local police spokesperson Omolola Odutola confirmed the attack to reporters, according to the outlet, stating that the victim suffered “fatal injuries” to his neck.

“On September 28, 2024, at about 7:40 hrs [p.m. local time] the Chief Security Officer of 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,” the police statement read, per thePremium Times.

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According to the paper, the victim’s body “was removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital, while the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler,” police stated.

source: people.com