A 19-year-old man has died after being attacked by a lioness inside its enclosure at a zoo in north-east Brazil. The incident occurred on Sunday at the Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park in the port city of João Pessoa.
A Desperate Climb Into Danger
Gerson de Melo Machado scaled a perimeter wall estimated to be over six metres (20ft) high to enter the zoo grounds. He then breached protective bars and used a tree to climb down into the lioness's pen. Disturbing video footage captured the moment the lioness, named Leona, set upon him as he neared the ground.
Zoo veterinarians reported that the lioness was left "stressed" and "in shock" following the traumatic event. She was contained afterwards without the use of tranquilliser darts or weapons.
A Troubled Life and a Dangerous Obsession
Machado's life was marked by severe adversity. He spent much of his childhood in care, having grown up in extreme poverty without a stable family structure. His mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and Machado himself struggled with significant mental health issues.
His fixation with big cats was well-documented. He had been arrested 16 times previously, with ten of those arrests occurring when he was a minor, often for breaches of security related to his obsession. He had reportedly made previous attempts to enter the same zoo enclosure.
In a desperate bid to pursue his dream of becoming a lion trainer, Machado once attempted to stow away inside the landing gear compartment of a Gol Airlines plane bound for Africa. He told police after that incident that he would make the journey "on foot" if necessary.
Aftermath and Official Responses
Following the fatal attack, the zoo was closed indefinitely. Park administration stated that the enclosure's barriers exceed the minimum safety standards set by Brazil's environmental authority, Ibama. They confirmed there is "no possibility of euthanasia" for Leona, who continues to be monitored.
Child protection worker Veronica Oliveira, who supported Machado for eight years, posted an agonising tribute online. She described him as "a child who suffered violations of his rights" and recalled his dream of going to Africa to "look after lions."
Brazilian politician Matheus Laiola commented on the tragedy, stating, "A lioness did exactly what a lioness does. Instinct, defence, natural behaviour of a wild animal. Tragedy and error begin when humans ignore basic safety limits." He concluded with a poignant question: "Who do you think was the 'animal' in this situation?"
