Gerson Machado, who lived in Brazil, had reportedly tried to reach Africa in the past by sneaking onto an airplane because he wanted to get near lions and learn how to train them. His dream came to a heartbreaking end when he came face-to-face with one of the animals he admired.
The 19-year-old is said to have entered the lion enclosure at the Arruda Camara Zoobotanical Park in Joao Pessoa on Sunday (November 30). Authorities reported that he scaled a tall wall and climbed down a tree to get inside the restricted area.
In the video, the lioness, named Leona, is seen resting near the viewing window before suddenly rushing toward the tree as Gerson descends.
Authorities later confirmed that he died from his injuries shortly after the attack.
Child protection worker Veronica Oliveira spoke in an Instagram video about supporting Gerson for eight years and recalled how he had once been caught trying to board a plane so he could “go on safari to Africa to look after lions.”
She also shared that his childhood involved poverty and a family history of mental illness, and said that he “should have been in treatment” given what he had been through.
Oliveira added: “Gerson’s story is that of a boy who just wanted to get to know Africa to tame lions.”
City officials announced that the zoo would stay closed while authorities conduct a full investigation. They added: “The man killed scaled a 20ft wall and managed to get into the animal enclosure using one of the trees.”
“We would like to express our solidarity with the family of the victim of this regrettable incident.”
