What Happened Inside the Enclosure
Footage shared on social media shows Leona the lioness lying near the glass viewing area where visitors are gathered. As Gerson climbs down from the tree inside the enclosure, she quickly rises and moves toward him.
Once he reaches the ground, the lioness pulls him into nearby bushes. The vegetation shakes as the struggle continues. For a brief moment, Gerson can be seen standing up again, before disappearing from view.
Zoo staff and emergency teams responded, but officials later announced he had not survived.
In a statement on Instagram, the zoo stressed that euthanasia was never considered for Leona. They described the animal as “stressed” and “in shock” after the intrusion, but said she shows no aggressive behavior outside of the incident.
“We reiterate that the park follows rigorous technical standards and safety protocols, and we are fully cooperating with all responsible bodies to clarify the facts,” the zoo said, calling the event “extremely sad.”
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