19-Year-Old Man Mauled to Death by Lioness at Zoo in Front of Other Visitors After Scaling 20-Foot Wall into Enclosure

A 19-year-old man was killed by a lioness after climbing into her enclosure at a zoo in northeastern Brazil, according to local authorities.

On Sunday, Nov. 30, Gerson de Melo Machado scaled a wall of about 20 feet to access the big cat’s pen at Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara in João Pessoa, in the state of Paraíba, outlets O Correio Brazilense, O Globo and Folha de São Paulo reported.

The botanical zoo, which houses hundreds of animal species, later confirmed Machado’s death in a statement shared on Instagram.

“Once the incident was confirmed, the park was immediately closed, following all safety protocols,” the zoo wrote. “The teams mobilized the competent authorities and provided the necessary support for the service and work of the experts.”

The zoo said it would remain closed while authorities investigate the circumstances of the attack, emphasizing that the facility maintains “strict” safety standards.

“The Arruda Câmara Park is in solidarity with the family of the boy who passed away, deeply regrets the loss and wishes strength at this difficult time,” the statement added.

According to O Correio Brazilense, the zoo’s security staff tried to intervene as Machado climbed into the lioness’ space but were unable to stop him in time. Forensic investigators with the state’s Civil Police have not ruled out the possibility that his actions were intentional.

Machado had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had spent time in several institutions, the outlet reported. He came from a family with a history of mental health challenges and was raised in what officials described as “extreme poverty.”

Child welfare counselor Verônica Oliveira told O Correio Brazilense that when Machado and his siblings were removed from their mother’s custody and placed for adoption, all four of his brothers and sisters were adopted — but he was not.

Over the years, he had multiple encounters with law enforcement and began stealing as a child, Oliveira said. Just a week before his death, Machado had allegedly approached her for help finding work after being released from prison.

“He was 19 years old, but when he spoke, I believe his cognitive ability was no more than that of a 5-year-old,” Oliveira said.

She also recalled a previous incident in which Machado reportedly snuck into the landing gear of a plane bound for Africa, hoping to pursue his dream of taming lions, but was discovered and referred to Child Protective Services at the airport.

“Gerson is the result of a system that always excluded him; he’s been caged for years. Today was the culmination of a ‘Chronicle of a Death Foretold,’ ” Oliveira told the outlet. “I hope the lesson remains and that the countless Gersons we care for every day have a happier ending. My feeling is one of total powerlessness, and this feeling causes enormous pain in my soul.”

Following Machado’s death, Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara also issued an update about the lioness involved in the attack.

“Leona, the lioness at Arruda Câmara Park, is doing well and will continue to receive all necessary care,” the zoo wrote. “After the incident, she was immediately evaluated by the technical team and remains under continuous observation and monitoring, as she experienced a high level of stress.”

“It is important to emphasize that euthanasia was never considered,” the statement continued. “Leona is healthy, does not exhibit aggressive behavior outside the context of the incident, and will not be euthanized. The protocol in situations like this provides exactly what is being done: monitoring, behavioral assessment, and specialized care.

“The Bica team, veterinarians, handlers, and technicians are fully dedicated to Leona’s well-being, ensuring that she recovers, stabilizes emotionally, and resumes her routine safely,” the zoo concluded.