A 19-year-old man was mauled to death by a lioness after climbing into her enclosure at a Brazilian zoo on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. Gerson de Melo Machado scaled a wall about 20 feet high at Parque Zoobotanico Arruda Camara in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, and descended into the enclosure by climbing down a tree.
The attack occurred in full view of zoo visitors who watched helplessly as the lioness, named Leona, approached the tree and pulled Machado to the ground. Video footage captured by witnesses shows the animal pouncing on the young man shortly after he entered the enclosure. Security personnel attempted to intervene and stop him from entering, but he moved too quickly for them to prevent the incident.
The zoo confirmed Machado’s death in an official statement and immediately closed the facility following the incident. Officials stated they followed strict safety protocols in responding to the situation and are cooperating fully with authorities conducting the investigation. The facility has remained closed to visitors while experts work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Child welfare counselor Veronica Oliveira, who had worked with Machado for eight years, provided crucial context about his background and state of mind. She revealed that Machado had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been institutionalized multiple times throughout his life. According to Oliveira, Machado’s cognitive ability was comparable to that of a five-year-old child, despite his age.
“My feeling is one of total powerlessness, and this feeling causes enormous pain in my soul,” Oliveira said following the incident. She described Machado as someone who had been failed by systems meant to protect him.
The young man had long harbored an unusual dream of becoming a lion tamer and traveling to Africa to work with the animals. His fascination with lions had previously led him to hide in the landing gear of an airplane that he believed was bound for Africa, where he hoped to pursue his ambition of taming lions. That earlier incident resulted in his referral to child welfare services.
Machado came from a family that struggled with both mental health challenges and economic hardship. His mother had also been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and the family lived in extreme poverty. A court had ruled that Machado should be hospitalized for psychiatric treatment, but officials were unable to locate him after the ruling was issued.
Police are investigating whether Machado’s actions may have constituted a suicide attempt. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together his motivations and the events leading up to the fatal encounter. Mental health experts note that individuals with severe psychiatric conditions sometimes engage in dangerous behaviors without fully comprehending the consequences.
Zoo officials have made clear that Leona will not be euthanized following the attack. The facility released a statement emphasizing that the lioness is healthy and does not exhibit aggressive behavior outside the context of this incident. Veterinarian Thiago Nery, who works at the zoo, confirmed that Leona is under observation for stress resulting from the incident.
The zoo’s statement explained that the protocol for such situations involves monitoring, behavioral assessment and specialized care rather than euthanasia. “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 said. The lioness was immediately evaluated by the technical team following the attack.
Zoo officials emphasized that the facility maintains rigorous technical standards and safety protocols. They expressed condolences to Machado’s family and acknowledged the sadness of the situation. The park, which houses hundreds of animal species, has assured the public that it will continue cooperating with all relevant authorities throughout the investigation.
Animal enclosures at accredited zoos are designed with multiple layers of protection to prevent both unauthorized entry and animal escapes. These typically include high walls, reinforced fencing and monitored boundaries. However, determined individuals who ignore warnings and actively circumvent safety measures can sometimes breach these barriers, as occurred in this case.
The incident has sparked discussions about mental health care access and the challenges facing individuals with severe psychiatric conditions. Oliveira noted that Machado had been excluded by various systems throughout his life and described his death as the culmination of years of inadequate support. She expressed hope that his case would serve as a lesson leading to better outcomes for others in similar situations.
The zoo has not announced when it plans to reopen to the public. Officials indicated that the closure will remain in effect until investigations and official procedures are completed, prioritizing safety and transparency for all visitors, employees and animals at the facility.