JOÃO PESSOA, PARAÍBA, BRAZIL – NOVEMBER 30, 2025 Tragic incident occurred at the Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara zoo in João Pessoa, Brazil, where 19-year-old Gerson de Melo Machado, known as “Vaqueirinho,” died after entering a lioness’s enclosure.

Gerson de Melo Machado

The young man climbed over an approximately six-meter-high wall and security barriers and then used a tree to reach the area designated for large cats. Although zoo staff attempted to stop him, he managed to enter the enclosure. A lioness named Leona then attacked him, causing fatal injuries. Other visitors witnessed the incident and captured it on video.

According to Brazilian media, Machado had long-term mental health problems and had faced a very difficult life situation since childhood. He was also known for his fascination with big cats and reportedly dreamed of becoming a lion tamer.

Following the incident, the zoo was closed and authorities began investigating the case. The lioness, Leona, was not euthanized and remained under veterinary supervision.

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Teenager killed by lioness after climbing into ZOO enclosure

Torture