Tragic Death at Brazilian Zoo: Teenager with Lion Taming Dreams Fatally Mauled After Entering Lioness Enclosure

Visitors at a Brazilian zoo captured footage of a tragic incident involving a teenage boy and a lioness.

A 19-year-old Brazilian teenager named Gerson de Melo Machado, who had aspirations of working with lions, was fatally mauled by a lioness after entering her enclosure at Parque Zoobotanio Arruda Camara in Joao Pessoa, as reported by the New York Post.

The devastating incident occurred when Machado scaled a 20-foot wall and security fencing to gain access to the lion's enclosure. Shocked zoo patrons witnessed the attack and recorded the distressing scene, which subsequently spread across various social media platforms.

The lioness, named Leona, pulled Machado to the ground, inflicting injuries that proved fatal despite rescue attempts.

According to family and friends, Machado suffered from significant mental health challenges, including schizophrenia, and had previously been institutionalized. Prior to this incident, he had once attempted to board a flight to Africa unauthorized, driven by his desire to work with lions.

Following the incident, the zoo temporarily closed for investigation. Officials have determined that Leona will not be euthanized, as she is in good health and has not displayed aggressive behavior outside of this specific occurrence.

The zoo addressed the situation on Instagram, stating that the animal "was immediately evaluated by the technical team and remains under continuous observation and monitoring, as she experienced a high level of stress."

The statement further explained, "Leona is healthy, does not exhibit aggressive behavior outside the context of the incident, and will not be euthanized. The protocol in situations like this provides exactly what is being done: monitoring, behavioral assessment, and specialized care."