Reports: Zookeeper 'Mauled' to Death by Lion After Leaving 'Safety Protection Gate Open' During Feeding

A zookeeper has been killed by a lion at a wildlife park in Nigeria after failing to secure the safety locks on the animal's enclosure during feeding time.

On the evening of Saturday, Sept. 28, trained handler Babaji Daule, 35, was mauled to death by the animal at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Wildlife Park in Ogun State capital Abeokuta, per the BBC and local newspapers the Daily Post Nigeria, the Daily Independent and the Premium Times.

According to the BBC, OOPL confirmed the incident occurred while Daule, from Bauchi State, was taking guests to see the lion's feeding routine after hours.

“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," OOPL said in a statement, per the outlet.

“To prevent further mutilation of the body, the animal was put down immediately by personnel of the park,” it added.

"It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park,” OOPL added in a state -

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ment, per the Daily Post Nigeria.

Local police spokesperson Omolola Odutola confirmed the attack to reporters, according to the outlet, stating that the victim suffered "fatal injuries" to his neck.

“On September 28, 2024, at about 7:40 hrs p.m. local time the Chief Security Officer of 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," the police statement read, per the Premium Times.

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According to the paper, the victim's body “was removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital, while the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler,” police stated.

OOPL and Nigeria Police Force didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.

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