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

Dec 02, 2025 10:54 am CST

A 19-year-old Brazilian teenager with mental health challenges was fatally attacked by a lioness after climbing into her enclosure at Parque Zoobotanio Arruda Camara. The victim, who dreamed of working with lions, had a history of schizophrenia. Zoo officials have decided against euthanizing the lioness as she displayed no unusual aggressive behavior outside this incident.