Graphic Video: Young Man Dies After Entering a Lioness Enclosure at a Zoo in Brazil

• Man Invades Big-Cat Enclosure in Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park
• Lioness fatally attacks him
• Zoo temporarily closes

According to UNOTV, the young man entered the restricted zoo area after climbing a high wall, bypassing security and surprising employees who tried to stop him quickly.

Once inside the enclosure, he climbed down through a tree while the lioness advanced toward him, ignoring warning shouts from witnesses at the scene.

The attack occurred just seconds after he reached the ground. The lioness grabbed him and inflicted fatal injuries, killing him immediately inside the enclosure.

Authorities confirmed that the Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park maintains strict rules but are investigating how the young man managed to breach them before approaching the animal dangerously.

Investigation into João Pessoa Zoo Attack Points to Deliberate Entry

#Brazil | A man died after being attacked by a lioness at the Arruda Câmara Park in João Pessoa, Brazil. The victim climbed a six-meter wall and deliberately entered the animal’s enclosure. pic.twitter.com/feA8QgXOCP

— Señal Capital (@senalcapital) November 30, 2025

Police said the young man had expressed a desire to get close to the animals, which matches witness statements claiming they had heard him mention that intention beforehand.

Videos circulating online show the young man climbing down as visitors shouted for him to stop, indicating he could have turned back but kept moving deeper into the enclosure.

Investigators reported that he had a criminal record and possible psychiatric disorders, which may have influenced his inability to recognize the danger of his actions.

Authorities are awaiting forensic reports to clarify the circumstances and determine whether other factors contributed to the fatal outcome.

João Pessoa Zoo Reviews Protocols After the Attack

The zoo expressed deep regret, pledged full cooperation with authorities, and stated that its security protocols were functioning but were unexpectedly breached by the young man.

In a statement, the zoo confirmed that Leona, the lioness involved, is physically unharmed but remains under observation due to stress from the incident.

The enclosure is temporarily closed while specialized teams review internal measures to prevent similar events and reinforce the protection of both animals and visitors.

Veterinarians and caretakers are monitoring the lioness closely to ensure her emotional stability, confirming that euthanasia was never considered since she responded naturally to an intrusion.

Animal Under Observation

Authorities clarified that the lioness’s behavior was instinctive and occurred solely because her space was invaded, ruling out any punishment or unjustified sacrifice.

The zoo emphasized that its priority is ensuring the animal returns to her normal routine without long-term stress from the attack.

Park specialists are implementing ongoing monitoring to evaluate behavior, feeding, and reactions, ensuring the lioness remains stable under professional supervision.

The incident has sparked public debate about safety, mental health, and the importance of respecting boundaries in wildlife enclosures, especially in high-risk environments.

Young Man Identified and Background Reviewed

Authorities confirmed the victim was 19-year-old Gerson de Melo Machado, later identified by zoo employees after images of the incident circulated.

Investigators stated he had a history of property damage and theft, as well as possible psychiatric conditions influencing his daily behavior.

Despite his past, he had never attempted to enter the Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park before, surprising employees accustomed to enforcing strict preventive measures.

Identifying him allowed investigators to better understand his background, including accounts mentioning his interest in physically approaching big cats.

Testimonies Reveal the Young Man’s Motivations and Confusion

Witnesses reported hearing the young man express a desire to see the animals up close, ignoring warnings and showing an apparent disconnect from the danger involved.

The lead investigator said testimonies consistently indicate he did not intend to harm himself but was motivated by a desire to approach the lioness, attributed to previous ideas about African lions.

Authorities said his psychiatric history may have prevented him from understanding the risk, explaining why he continued descending toward the lioness despite numerous warnings.

These accounts support the hypothesis that the act was impulsive rather than suicidal — marked by confusion and a lack of danger perception, according to information gathered in the investigation.