A zookeeper has been mauled to death by a lion he raised from birth.
Veterinary technologist Olabode Olawuyi had been feeding the massive beasts at Obafemi Awolowo University's zoo in Nigeria’s Osun state when disaster struck. The unprovoked attack led to footage emerging of Olawuyi lying on his back, blood everywhere, not moving and with his eyes open.
The injuries he suffered were fatal and efforts to save him were unsuccessful. The incident led to the lion that carried out the attack being shot dead. According to MailOnline, this too was also captured on film.
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Olawuyi had raised all of the lions there since birth and had been working at the facility for close to 10 years.
A spokesperson for the university, Abiodun Olarewaju, told the BBC Olawuyi had been “taking care of the lions since they were born on campus about nine years ago”.
![Zookeeper Olabode Olawuyi](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article32170346.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Screenshot-2024-02-20-at-134118JPG.jpg)
Olarewaju continued: “Tragically, the male lion killed the man who had been feeding them.
“We never knew what came over the male lion that it had to attack (him).”
A delegation was reportedly sent out to the family of Olawuyi by the university, which is now in mourning.
Speaking to local newspaper Vanguard, students' union leader Abbas Akinremi, said the death had occurred as a result of “human error” after a zookeeper forgot to lock the door after feeding the lions, MailOnline reports.
![The lion was later shot](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article32170343.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Screenshot-2024-02-20-at-134150JPG.jpg)
It is possible for lions in zoos to form close bonds with their keepers, according to Wildlife Explained but: “You cannot trust them completely. If a lion feels threatened by some of your actions or gestures or loses his temper, it can become ferocious and cause fatal injury in the blink of an eye.
“Thus, even if a human has raised a lion as a cub, and they have the best bond, he still needs to be aware all the time.
![The incident occurred at Obafemi Awolowo University's zoo in Osun state](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article32170342.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Screenshot-2024-02-20-at-134205JPG.jpg)
“Acting with caution is the most important thing here. You always have to keep in mind that lions are dangerous, and you need to understand their mood and temper and treat them nicely with love and respect to help them maintain their pleasant demeanour.”
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