A 19-year-old man who entered a lion cage, eventually devastated...He's obsessed with lions
Dec 02, 2025
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According to local media such as G1, Gerson de Melu Mashadou (19) sneaked into the lion cage at the Aruda Camara Zoo in Joao Pesoa, Paraiba, Brazil on the afternoon of the 30th (local time).
CCTV footage shows that he was attacked by a lioness 'Leona' shortly after climbing a tree over the zoo wall and entering the lion enclosure.
Many visitors at the scene at the time witnessed this shocking scene.
According to the investigation, Mashadou has been living in a shelter since childhood and has suffered mental health problems.
He showed an obsession with lions and attempted to break into zoo cages several times in the past, and was caught trying to sneak into an aircraft landing gear with a dream of going to Africa and becoming a lion trainer. He has been arrested a total of 16 times in such attempts, 10 of which were underage. His mother is also said to be suffering from mental health problems, adding to the sadness.
Meanwhile, the zoo said the lioness Leona was in a state of extreme stress and shock after the incident.
Currently, the zoo is closed indefinitely, and no reopening schedule has been set. In addition, there is no possibility of euthanasia for Leona and it is said that it is constantly being observed.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
