Brazilian teen, 19, mauled to death by lioness after climbing into zoo enclosure, animal will not be euthanised

A 19-year-old teenage boy was mauled to death after climbing into a lioness enclosure at a zoo in João Pessoa, in northeast Brazil, according to multiple media reports.

The victim, identified as Gerson de Melo Machado, entered the restricted area on Nov. 30 despite safety barriers, prompting shock among visitors who witnessed the incident.

The incident

Machado was filmed by other zoo-goers scaling the upper wall and fencing of the enclosure at Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara, known locally as Bica.

O cara inventou de invadir a jaula do leão, na Bica, em João Pessoa. Não deve ter escapado. pic.twitter.com/Sl2u4w36cA

— Caolho (@CPreparado) November 30, 2025

A video posted on X showed him lowering himself down a palm tree moments before the lioness, Leona, spotted him and charged.

The lioness ran from a resting spot near a small pool to the centre of the enclosure, where Machado was descending.

He hesitated briefly, looking directly at the lioness, before sliding further down the tree.

Leona then seized him by the leg, dragging him violently to the ground.

Machado managed to stand and attempted to flee, but the lioness pulled him down a second time and out of view.

The attack unfolded too quickly for park authorities to intervene, as reported by KTLA.

Staff later confirmed that the teen had succumbed to his injuries caused by the animal.

Lioness not facing euthanasia

The zoo confirmed Machado’s death in a statement issued jointly with João Pessoa’s city hall, calling the episode “sad” and stating that he had deliberately entered the enclosure, according to Brazil Reports.

Bica announced it would remain closed to visitors until investigations are complete, citing safety and transparency.

In a separate Instagram post, officials told the public that Leona would not be euthanised.

They said the lioness had experienced a “high level of stress” but was in good health and receiving the necessary 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."

Veterinarian Thiago Nery told Brazilian media that the lioness neither consumed any part of the victim nor required sedation with darts.

Teen had long-standing mental health challenges

People claiming to know Machado confirmed that he had a history of mental illness.

He had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been hospitalised several times, reported KTLA.

He had also harboured dreams of becoming a lion tamer in Africa and had once tried to stow away in an aircraft’s landing gear in an attempt to reach the continent.

Verónica, a member of a local child welfare council who had assisted Machado for eight years, wrote on social media that he suffered from psychiatric issues not formally recognised by the state.

She alleged that he had been repeatedly failed by support systems and should have been in treatment.

She said, according to CBS News:

“Society, without knowing your story, preferred to throw you into the lion's den.”

Local media added that a state court had ruled a month earlier that Machado ought to be admitted to the Custody and Psychiatric Treatment Hospital (HCTP) after medical evaluations found him “entirely incapable of understanding the criminal nature of his act or of behaving”.

Officials, however, were reportedly unable to locate him at the time.

Investigations ongoing

Bica Zoo is expected to reopen only after authorities conclude their inquiry into how Machado accessed the enclosure and whether any additional safety measures are needed.

“We reiterate that the park follows rigorous technical standards and safety protocols, and we are fully cooperating with all responsible bodies to clarify the facts.”

The lioness remains under observation but is not considered a threat beyond the circumstances of the intrusion.

Top images via fofocas/Instagram, CPreparado/X