Zookeeper Mauled to Death by Lion in Nigeria

Babaji Daule, a 35-year-old zookeeper at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Abeokuta, Nigeria, was fatally mauled by a lion on September 28, 2024, after he failed to secure the enclosure locks while feeding the animal. Local police confirmed that Daule sustained severe neck injuries during the attack, leading to his immediate death. The incident occurred after park hours when Daule, feeling overly comfortable, neglected safety protocols to demonstrate the feeding routine to guests. In response to the attack, zoo personnel shot the lion to prevent further mutilation of Daule's body. This tragic event marks the second fatal incident involving a zookeeper and a lion in Nigeria within the past year, raising serious concerns about safety regulations and animal handling practices in the country. Investigations are underway as the park management continues to address the incident and its implications.