Zoo keeper killed by Lion in Ibadan

Hamzat Oyekunle one of the zoo attendants at Agodi Garden, Ibadan, Oyo State has died from injuries he sustained from an attack by one of the lions at the zoo.

In a statement issued in Ibadan by Yinka Fatoki, Executive Secretary, Bureau of Investment Promotion, (BIP) Oyo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Agodi Zoo over Oyekunle’s death.

Fatoki said the decision was to safeguard the lives of patrons.

According to him, government had also taken the decision based on a report received from AM & C, the company managing the Zoo that one of the lions at the zoo had accidentally attacked one of the attendants.

He quoted the report as saying: “one of the lions at the Zoo had accidentally attacked one of the attendants, Mr Hamzat Oyekunle popularly known as Baba Olorunwa.

“Oyekunle was reported to have later died from injuries sustained from the incident.”

He stated that the incident was surprising and sad because Oyekunle had fed the lion for over five years and was known to have had a very good relationship with all the animals in the zoo.

He said that the lions have been evacuated pending further investigations.

“The incident is unfortunate and sad as the deceased had fed the lions for over five years.

“He was known to have had a very good relationship with all the animals in the zoo,” the statement read.