lion attack On November 30, 2025, a woeful and shocking incident passed at Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara( also known as “ Bica Park ”) in João Pessoa, northeastern Brazil. A 19- time–old man, Gerson de Melo Machado, lost his life after immorally entering the quadrangle of a lioness and being maltreated to death — a horrifying sequence that unfolded ahead multitudinous callers.

What happed

According to original authorities, Machado gauged a wall over six metres high, climbed over safety fencing, and used a tree inside the quadrangle to lower himself in each in full view of other zoo callers.

Once outside, the lioness — linked as Leona — attacked nearly incontinently. vids circulating on social media captured the intimidating moment as callers screamed and tried to intermediate.

Despite sweats by staff and exigency askers, Machado succumbed to his injuries. officers from the medical-legal institute said the cause of death was “ bleeding due to injuries to the neck vessels. ”

Victim Profile — Dreams, Mental Health, and a worried history

Machado was a 19- time–old with a documented history of severe internal health issues. According to people who knew him, he’d long pictured of getting a captain tamed — a lifelong seductiveness with big pussycats that reportedly began in nonage.

Before the lion attack

• He’d reportedly been institutionalized several times due to his psychiatric condition.

  He grew up in poverty and was abandoned by his family, who themselves plodded with internal– health challenges.

  musketeers and social workers described him as someone with great difficulty in social integration; some believed his cognitive capacities recalled those of a child.

  Given these circumstances, some close to the case and media outlets have suggested the act may have been — purposely or unconsciously — a self-murder attempt.

  Response Zoo Closure, Investigation & Lioness’ Fate

  The zoo snappily issued a statement expressing deep remorse, closed to callers, and verified it was cooperating with authorities to clarify how the breach passed.

  officers affirmed that the safety norms and physical structures of the quadrangle were within regulations the wall and defensive walls exceeded the morals. According to the zoo’s veterinarian, the incident was “ fully unforeseeable. ”

  The lioness, Leona, was n’t euthanized. Zoo staff stated she displayed no aggressive geste outside the environment of the attack and is now under observation to examiner stress and insure her well– being.