Authorities: “Possible Act of Suicide”
According to city hall officials, Gerson scaled a 20-foot wall and used one of the trees inside the enclosure to gain access to the lion habitat.
“According to police it was a possible act of suicide,” the statement said. “Although security staff tried to stop him, he acted very quickly and died as a result of the injuries the lioness inflicted on him.”
The zoo has been closed while an investigation is underway. Officials expressed solidarity with Gerson’s family, calling the incident “regrettable” and emphasizing that safety measures were in place.
Social worker Oliveira summarized his life as a tragic mix of vulnerability and obsession: “Gerson’s story is that of a boy who just wanted to get to know Africa to tame lions. He discovered too late that a lion isn’t a domestic cat and that we can’t tame them without the right knowledge.”
Topics: Animals , Cats , Mental Health , World News , Africa , News
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