World

Teen with dreams of lion taming mauled to death after climbing into enclosure at zoo

December 2, 2025

A 19-year-old man, Gerson de Melo Machado, was fatally mauled by a lion after climbing into its enclosure at the Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park in João Pessoa, Brazil. Witnesses reported that Machado, who had a long-standing ambition to become a lion tamer and struggled with mental health issues, deliberately entered the enclosure before being attacked by the lioness.

Teen with dreams of lion taming mauled to death after climbing into enclosure at zoo

Credit: Foxnews

Key Highlights

Gerson de Melo Machado, 19, was mauled to death by a lion in Brazil.
He climbed over an 18-foot fence to enter the lioness's enclosure.
Machado had aspirations to be a lion tamer and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The incident occurred at Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara in João Pessoa.
A video captured the moment he was attacked by the lioness.

fnc Fox News article fox-news/world 852af77d-4b97-525f-92a3-3a1da5765902 fox-news/world/world-regions/brazil fox-news/science/wild-nature/mammals fox-news/health/mental-health

Sources

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Teen with dreams of lion taming mauled to death after climbing into enclosure at zoo

Key Highlights

Sources

Related Stories

Iran Protests Live Updates: Iran-US Tensions Remain High Amid Donald Trump's Threat, Tehran Reopens Airspace

Rodriguez, Trump hold first call on bilateral “unresolved issues”

Indian-origin New Jersey woman arrested, charged with murdering her two young...