19-year-old mauled to death after climbing into Brazil zoo lion cage

A 19-year-old man in Brazil was mauled to death after climbing into a lion sanctuary on Sunday morning.

The incident was featured in viral video showing the victim climbing an approximately 26-meter-high fence to enter the lioness enclosure at the Arruda Câmara Zoo Botanical Park, known locally as Bica, in João Pessoa, Paraíba.

local media Correio Brazilianense The victim was identified as Gerson de Melo Machado, who had long desired to become a lion tamer. Machado reportedly suffered from mental health issues and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The zoo confirmed in a statement that the man deliberately entered the enclosure, was attacked by the animal and did not survive his injuries.

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“Arruda Câmara Zoo Botanical Park (Bica) is deeply saddened by what happened this Sunday morning when a man deliberately invaded the area where a lioness was located, resulting in her death,” the zoo said in a statement on social media on Sunday. The statement was included. “This is an extremely saddening incident for everyone and we offer our solidarity and condolences to the man’s family and friends.”

in videoWitnesses watched in horror as the teenager scaled a high fence and staggered into a nearby tree. A lion in the enclosure spotted him, prowled to the base of the tree and waited for him to continue his descent.

When the boy got close enough to the ground, the lion jumped on him. She tried to escape by disappearing into the bushes and briefly reappeared during her escape, only to leap at the lioness again. The attack then continued out of sight behind a wall.

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Zoo patrons look through a window at the lion enclosure on February 21, 2008. (Justin Sullivan)

Following the incident, the park was closed for security procedures and removal of the body. The zoo stated that Bica will remain closed to visitors until the investigation and all official procedures are completed.

Machado had struggled with mental health issues throughout his life, and his mother had also been diagnosed with schizophrenia, according to Correio, who cited child welfare counselor Verônica Oliveira, who had monitored him since childhood. Oliveira said Machado always dreamed of going to Africa to become a lion tamer and was once caught hiding in the landing gear of a plane he believed would take him there.

The zoo stated that it did not plan to euthanize the lion, emphasizing that the killing resulted from deliberate trespass, an event that was “completely unforeseen” and “outside of any scenario in the park’s routine.”

Visitors view two lions through a window in their enclosure on July 22, 2025. (Justin Sullivan)

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The lion was reportedly stressed but showed no signs of behavior that would warrant euthanasia concerns.

“It is important to emphasize that euthanasia was never considered,” the Zoo said. “Leona is healthy, does not exhibit aggressive behavior outside of the context of the incident, and will not be euthanized.”