A 19-year-old male died on Sunday morning after being mauled by a lion, having entered its enclosure.
The event was captured in a viral video, which depicted the individual climbing a fence, approximately 26 feet high, to gain access to the lioness’s enclosure at Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park, also called Bica, located in João Pessoa, Paraíba.
The victim was identified by local media as Gerson de Melo Machado, who had a long-standing ambition to become a lion tamer. Machado reportedly suffered from mental health problems and had a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
In a statement, the zoo confirmed that the person intentionally entered the enclosure, was subsequently attacked by the animal, and succumbed to their injuries.
“Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park (Bica) expresses profound sorrow over the events of this Sunday morning, where a man intentionally intruded into the lioness’ enclosure, leading to his demise,” the zoo communicated via a social media statement on Sunday. “This is a profoundly tragic incident for all involved, and we extend our solidarity and deepest sympathies to the man’s family and friends.”
Witnesses observed in horror as the young man ascended the tall fence and descended a nearby tree. A lion within the enclosure noticed him, moved stealthily to the tree’s base, and waited for his continued descent.
As the individual neared the ground, he attempted to flee, disappearing into the bushes and briefly reappearing during his escape, only to be pounced on again by the lioness. The mauling subsequently continued out of sight behind a wall.
After the incident, the park was closed to facilitate safety protocols and the removal of the remains. The zoo announced that Bica would stay closed to visitors pending the completion of the investigation and all official processes.
Machado had faced difficulties throughout his life; his mother, too, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, according to Correio, which cited child welfare counselor Verônica Oliveira, who had overseen him since childhood. Oliveira informed the outlet that Machado consistently held a desire to travel to Africa to become a lion tamer and was once discovered hiding in an aircraft’s landing gear, convinced it would transport him there.
The zoo confirmed it has no intentions of euthanizing the lion, stressing that the fatality was a consequence of intentional trespassing, an event described as “completely unpredictable” and “beyond any scenario typical of the park’s operations.”
The animal is reportedly experiencing stress but exhibits no behavioral indications that would justify euthanasia.
“It is crucial to stress that euthanasia was not at any point contemplated,” the zoo declared. “Leona is in good health, displays no aggressive tendencies outside the circumstances of the incident, and will not undergo euthanasia.”