Lion Kills Man Who Took Care of It for Nine Years
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria has reportedly closed down the small wildlife park within the institution after a lion mauled a park employee who had been caring for it for 9 years.
As confirmed by the university, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju Olawuyi was a Veterinary Doctor who had been with the institution for a decade now.
It is reported that the veterinary doctor was attacked while attempting to rescue a woman from the lion, who had previously attacked her for the first time.
A colleague of Olawuyi, a witness, revealed that the lion attacked the woman, who also works as an employee in the wildlife park.
“The deceased intervened to rescue the woman from the lion. He must have thought the lion would recognize him. His intervention to release the woman must have angered the animal. The lion left the woman and viciously attacked him, and before being rushed to the campus health center, he had passed away,” he said.
“The attacked woman is still hospitalized receiving treatment for now,” he added.
Odewumi explained that the lion was shot dead by a security officer working with the school and that the management would not allow anyone to enter the wildlife park for now.
In a statement to the media confirming the incident, the university wrote:
“Mr. Olawuyi had been caring for these lions since their birth on campus nearly nine years ago. However, in a tragic turn of events, the male lion attacked the caretaker.”
