Zoo keepers must exercise extreme caution
In what has become a troubling trend in Nigeria, a 35-year-old zookeeper named Babaji Daule tragically lost his life last week after being attacked by a lion at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Earlier this year, a similar incident occurred at the zoological garden of Obafemi University (OAU) in Ile Ife, where another zookeeper was killed by a lion.
In the recent case, it was reported that the lion handler failed to properly secure the locks and barricades of the lion’s enclosure before attempting to feed the animal. According to Omolola Odutola, a spokesperson for the Ogun State police, this lapse in judgment allowed the lion to escape, leading to a fatal attack that resulted in severe injuries to the handler’s neck and subsequent death.
Management at OOPL provided additional context, stating that the incident unfolded after the park’s closing time when some guests arrived. “The zookeeper, feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety gate open and proceeded to feed the lion. He was attacked and killed on the spot,” the statement read. To prevent further violation of the body’s dignity, the lion was euthanized immediately. It’s crucial to note that this feeding activity was outside the normal protocols of the park.
The alarming frequency of zookeepers being killed by wild animals in Nigeria raises concerns about the training and safety measures in place for those responsible for handling these creatures. It’s worth recalling the tragic case from earlier this year involving Olabode Olawuyi, a veteran veterinary technologist who was also killed while feeding lions. Despite the public outcry that followed, it appears that no meaningful lessons have been learned, and there are no clear updates about preventative measures being implemented to avert future tragedies. This is essential for all facilities, whether public or private, that care for wild animals across the country.
Similar incidents have occurred in the past; a zookeeper was mauled to death at Kaduna’s Gamji Park, and three decades earlier, another tragedy struck at the Jos Zoo when a keeper was killed by lions that hadn’t been fed for ten days due to financial neglect. In that case, the zookeeper, who had previous experience with the lions, was caught off guard when he was unable to provide food after cleaning their den.
While viral videos often showcase tamed lions in parks in South Africa and Botswana, where humans interact closely with these animals, it’s important to remember that such practices are dangerously misleading and should not be encouraged. Unlike those facilities, which are equipped to provide excellent care, the unpredictable nature of wild animals like lions can emerge under conditions of stress, illness, fear, or hunger.
As we extend our condolences to Babaji Daule’s family and the staff at OOPL during this difficult time, we strongly urge relevant authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure that zookeepers and others working with wild animals are trained effectively in order to handle them safely and avoid exposing themselves to unnecessary risks.
