A lion housed at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park, Abeokuta, Ogun State, tragically claimed the life of its handler, Babaji Daule. PulseNets learned that the incident occurred on Saturday as Daule, 35, approached the cage to feed the lion.
According to a statement from the park’s management, Daule—a skilled handler of the male lion—had agreed to demonstrate the lion’s feeding routine to a group of guests after the park’s official closing time. PulseNets reported that this decision proved fatal, as Daule allegedly neglected to secure the locks and barricade of the lion’s 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 personnel of the park. It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park,” the management told PulseNets in their official statement.
Confirming the tragedy, police spokesperson Omolola Odutola spoke to PulseNets on Sunday, stating that the lion’s attack resulted in severe injuries to Daule’s neck, which eventually led to his death. She added, “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.
“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. This negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to the handler’s neck and eventual death,” she told PulseNets.
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Daule’s body has since been transported to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital, Abeokuta. Meanwhile, the management extended condolences to Daule’s family and reassured the public of their commitment to ensuring the highest levels of safety for visitors, staff, and the wildlife in their care.
