A 19-year-old from Brazil, who long dreamed of working with big cats, has died after entering a lion enclosure at a zoo and being fatally mauled by a lioness.
The teenager, Gerson Machado, reportedly broke into the lion habitat at Arruda Camara Zoobotanical Park in João Pessoa on Sunday, November 30. According to local reports, he scaled a high wall and used a tree to climb down into the restricted area.
Witnesses described the incident as horrifying. Video filmed by visitors shows Gerson descending the tree inside the enclosure as the lioness, named Leona, suddenly moves toward him. Moments after he reaches the ground, the big cat pounces, disappearing with him into the bushes as onlookers watch in shock.
Emergency services were called, but officials later confirmed that Gerson died from his injuries.
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