A devastating event occurred at Parque Zoobotanio Arruda Camara, a zoo in Joao Pessoa, Brazil, when a 19-year-old man was fatally mauled by a lioness. The young man, Gerson de Melo Machado, had a lifelong aspiration to become a lion tamer. He managed to evade the zoo’s security measures, climbing a 20-foot fence to enter the lion’s enclosure.
Witnesses were horrified as they watched Machado descend from a tree within the enclosure and subsequently be attacked by a lioness named Leona. The entire incident was recorded and has since been widely circulated on social media platforms. After the initial attack, Machado tried to flee but was swiftly caught and attacked again by the lioness.
Machado had a documented history of mental health problems, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia from his childhood. He had spent time in both an institution and prison. His fascination with lions had previously led him to hide in the landing gear of an airplane bound for Africa, hoping to realize his dream of taming lions. He was found before the plane took off and was subsequently referred to Child Protective Services.
The zoo, situated in the eastern Brazilian state of Paraiba, confirmed Machado’s death but announced that Leona would not be euthanized. The zoo’s position is that the lioness was not to blame, as Machado had trespassed into her enclosure.
The zoo’s technical team has been closely observing Leona, who they report is healthy and not displaying any aggressive behavior beyond the incident. The zoo’s protocol in such situations includes continuous observation, behavioral assessment, and specialized care.
Following the incident, the zoo was immediately closed in accordance with safety protocols. It remained shut the next day as an investigation into the incident continued.