A fatal tragedy occurred last Sunday at the Arruda Camara Zoological and Botanical Park in Joao Pessoa, in northeastern Brazil. A young man, identified by local media as 19-year-old Gerson de Melo Machado, died after deliberately entering the lioness's enclosure, to the horror of visitors.

According to a statement from municipal authorities, the victim "deliberately entered the lioness's enclosure" by climbing a wall more than six meters high, then security gates. He then reportedly clung to a tree to descend into the enclosure.

Mental disorders and the suicide hypothesis

The incident was captured on video by visitors and widely circulated. The footage shows the lioness, named Leona, approaching the man as he was coming down the stairs. She then pounced on him, inflicting injuries from which he "succumbed," according to the mayor's office.

1. Police hypothesis: Initial police investigations suggested a "possible suicide" .
2. Social testimony: Veronica Oliveira, head of social services in Joao Pessoa, stated that she had followed Gerson de Melo Machado for eight years. She believes he suffered from "mental disorders" and should have received treatment, noting a family history of schizophrenia.
3. A tragic dream: In interviews with local media, Ms. Oliveira added that the young man, who grew up in poverty, dreamed of becoming a lion tamer . His cousin, Icara Menezes, confided that he had recently told her about his plan "to save money to go to Africa."
4. Criminal record: Edmilson Alves, director of a local prison, testified on Instagram that the young man, incarcerated 16 times (as a minor and as an adult), "needed help" .

The lioness will be spared.

The zoo expressed its "deeply sadness" over the incident in a statement.

The zoo confirmed that the lioness, Leona, will not be euthanized . A veterinarian at the zoo, Thiago Nery, stated that she "has shown no aggressive behavior outside the context of the incident" and that she was "calm" after this moment of "great stress." She will, however, remain "under observation for the next few days."

The zoo remained closed to the public on the Monday following the tragedy to allow for inspection by public environmental bodies.