A truly tragic story is coming out of Brazil right now after 19-year-old Gerson de Melo Machado was killed by a lioness after he scaled a massive 20-foot wall to sneak into her enclosure at a zoo in Joao Pessoa, Paraíba. This devastating incident unfolded right in front of horrified visitors at the Parque Zoobotanico Arruda Camara.
WARNING: Details and video of a lioness mauling to follow.
According to People, the zoo’s security team noticed Machado climbing the enclosure wall and tried desperately to intervene. Unfortunately, he moved too quickly for them to stop him before he managed to break past the barriers and into the big cat’s pen. You can imagine what happened next, since he did not come out alive.
What makes this incident even more heartbreaking is the tragic context of Machado’s life and his lifelong dream. He reportedly had an overriding desire to become a lion trainer and tamer. You wouldn’t believe how determined he was to pursue this goal; he had previously attempted to sneak onto a plane heading toward Africa by hiding in the landing gear. Child Protective Services detected him at the airport during that prior attempt and referred him for help.
It’s hard to imagine what this kid would end up doing
Machado’s background paints a picture of systemic failure and difficulty. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia, came from a family with a history of mental health issues, and grew up in extreme poverty. He had several run-ins with the police throughout his life, having begun to steal in his childhood, and had just been released from prison recently.
Verônica Oliveira, a child welfare counselor who had worked with Machado, shared some truly painful context with O Correio Brazilense. She noted that while Machado was 19, she believed his cognitive ability was no more than that of a 5-year-old. This is awful for everyone involved, especially for a young man who clearly needed serious help that the system failed to provide.
WARNING: Before you watch this video, know that it is NOT censored and it DOES show the mauling.
Oliveira didn’t mince words about the systemic issues surrounding his death. She stated, “Gerson is the result of a system that always excluded him; he’s been caged for years. Today was the culmination of a ‘Chronicle of a Death Foretold,’” She added that her “feeling is one of total powerlessness, and this feeling causes enormous pain in my soul.” Oliveira also noted that all four of his siblings were adopted after being removed from their mother’s custody when Machado was very young.
Following the incident, the botanical zoo immediately closed down, adhering to all safety protocols and mobilizing authorities. The zoo shared a news release on Instagram confirming Machado’s death and expressing deep regret and solidarity with his family. The Civil Police forensics team is currently investigating the incident and hasn’t ruled out the possibility that Machado’s actions were suicidal.
One major point the zoo wanted to clarify involves the lioness involved. You might expect an animal involved in a fatal incident to be euthanized, but the zoo was firm that this isn’t happening. The park shared an update on Instagram stating that “Leona,” the lioness, is doing well, though she experienced a high level of stress following the event.
The zoo stated, “It is important to emphasize that euthanasia was never considered.” They confirmed that the technical team is fully dedicated to Leona’s well-being, ensuring that she recovers, stabilizes emotionally, and resumes her routine safely. They emphasized that she is healthy and “does not exhibit aggressive behavior outside the context of the incident.” It’s good to hear they’re prioritizing the animal’s welfare while managing this incredibly difficult situation for the community.
Published: Dec 2, 2025 08:19 am