And zoo in Brazil became the scene of a tragedy after a 19 year old young man died after deliberately entering a lioness’ cage. On Sunday morning, the victim, identified as Gerson do Melo Machadoscaled a wall of more than six meters and descended the trunk of a tree to access the restricted area. There, the feline dragged with its claws and attacked him to death.
The event was recorded on video by other visitors to the park, who were completely shocked and mobilized local authorities. The incident happened in Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Parkknown as Bica, in João Pessoa, in the northeast of Brazil.
According to official information, Machado He circumvented security measures and quickly and surprisingly entered the lions’ enclosure. The Military Police and the Institute of Forensic Sciences of Paraíba confirmed that the young man died instantly due to the serious injuries caused by the feline.
The João Pessoa City Council reported that, despite the existing protocols and barriers, the attack could not be avoided and the park was immediately closed. The case is under police investigation, which contemplates the hypothesis of a possible suicidal act, given the personal history and previous condition of the victim.
The investigation and a possible suicidal act
He Arruda Câmara Park is home to more than 580 animal speciesincluding elephants, monkeys and birds, as well as a wide variety of plants. After the attack, the park suspended its activities to the public while police investigations and the internal review of security protocols continue. The veterinary team evaluated the lioness and determined that the animal experienced high stress due to the unexpected arrival.
In a video shared on the park’s official Instagram, veterinarian Thiago Nery explained that the lioness was contained without the need for tranquilizer darts or weapons, and that she obeyed orders to return to her pen, although she took a while to do so because she was stressed and in a state of shock. The zoo clarified that it never considered euthanizing the animal, that it had not shown previous aggressive behavior and that it will remain under monitoring and specialized care. The veterinary staff, caregivers and technicians are dedicated to the well-being of the feline, with the aim of returning it to its usual routine.
For its part, the park biologist, Marilia Maiaconfirmed on the zoo’s social network that the lioness arrived agitated and that at the time of the attack “it presented natural behavior for its species” and that it did not attack the victim for food.
Brazilian politician Matheus Laiola, former police chief of Curitiba’s environmental protection department, pointed out on his social networks that the lioness acted out of instinct and defense, and that these types of tragedies occur when basic safety limits are ignored, putting both human and animal life at risk.
In an official statement, the government reported: “Quickly and surprisingly, climbed a wall of more than 6 meters, security fencesaccessed one of the trees and invaded the premises.” Likewise, they reported that the official investigation is working with the version of the possible “act of suicide.” They also sent condolences and solidarity to the family for what happened.
A man died at the João Pessoa Zoo, Brazil, after invading a lioness’ cage. The mayor’s office reported that he climbed more than 6 m and crossed the security bars of his own free will.
The zoo was closed for investigations. The lioness will not be sacrificed.#Brazil… pic.twitter.com/xbmMmJXfbR— The Day (@on the day)
December 1, 2025
The victim’s fanaticism for lions
Gerson de Melo Machado’s life was marked by adversity. According to the child welfare counselor, Verônica Oliveira, who accompanied him since he was ten years old, The young man had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The professional added that His biggest dream was to become a lion tamer in Africa.
He Machado’s history It included previous arrests for different episodes on public roads, and his last release occurred just two days before the incident, according to Daily Mail. The counselor recalled that the young man had tried to travel to Africa as a stowaway in the landing gear of a plane, motivated by his desire to care for lions. On another occasion, the Federal Highway Police found him alone on the BR route, which triggered the intervention of the child protection network. The week before his death, Machado went to City Hall to request a work permit after being released from prison and, two days later, he got into an altercation by throwing a paving stone at a police patrol.
The João Pessoa City Council reiterated that the park complies with all the required security measures, but the young man’s determination to enter the facility was decisive in the outcome. The police investigation continues to clarify the exact reasons for the admission and the circumstances surrounding the young man’s death.
