A tragic incident unfolded at Brazil’s Parque Zoobotanio Arruda Camara in Joao Pessoa when a teenager, who had a lifelong dream of becoming a lion tamer, was fatally attacked by a lioness. The 19-year-old, Gerson de Melo Machado, had managed to bypass security measures, scaling a 20-foot fence to gain access to the lion enclosure.
Onlookers watched in horror as Machado descended from a tree within the enclosure, only to be attacked by a lioness named Leona. The incident was captured on video and shared widely on social media. After the initial attack, Machado attempted to escape but was quickly caught and attacked again by the lioness.
Machado had a history of mental health issues, having been diagnosed with schizophrenia in his childhood. He had also spent time in an institution and later in prison. His fascination with lions had previously led him to stow away in the landing gear of a plane bound for Africa, in a bid to fulfill his dream of taming lions. He was discovered before the plane took off and was subsequently referred to Child Protective Services.
The zoo, located in the eastern Brazilian state of Paraiba, confirmed Machado’s death but stated that Leona would not be euthanized. The zoo’s stance is that the lioness was not at fault, as Machado had intruded into her enclosure.
The zoo’s technical team has been closely monitoring Leona, who they report is healthy and not exhibiting any aggressive behavior outside of the incident. The zoo’s protocol in such situations involves continuous observation, behavioral assessment, and specialized care.
In the aftermath of the incident, the zoo was immediately shut down, adhering to safety protocols. It remained closed the following day as an investigation into the incident continued.