A 19-year-old man was mauled to death by lions at the zoo Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara in João Pessoa, Brazil, on Sunday, according to the zoo and social media footage.
Gerson de Melo Machado broke into the big cat enclosure after climbing the 20 foot wall.
The zoo’s security team reportedly tried to stop Machado as he climbed into the lion enclosure, but he moved too quickly, O Correio Brazilense reported.
The same report claimed Machado was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had been in several institutions prior to his death.
Child welfare counselor Verônica Oliveira told the outlet that Machado had dreamed of becoming a lion tamer and had previously snuck into the plane's landing gear on a flight to Africa in hopes of living out his dream.
“He was 19 years old, but when he spoke, I believe his cognitive ability was no more than that of a 5-year-old," Oliveria told O Correio Brazilense.
Zoo's response to teenager mauled by lions
“This is an extremely sad episode for everyone, and we express our solidarity and condolences to the family and friends of the man, who has not yet been identified,” the zoo wrote on Instagram.
The zoo has closed to visitors while the investigation into the incident is carried out.
“Leona, the lioness at Arruda Câmara Park, is doing well and will continue to receive all necessary care,” the zoo later updated. “After the incident, she was immediately evaluated by the technical team and remains under continuous observation and monitoring, as she experienced a high level of stress."
“It is important to emphasize that euthanasia was never considered,” the zoo continued. “Leona is healthy, does not exhibit aggressive behavior outside the context of the incident, and will not be euthanized. The protocol in situations like this provides exactly what is being done: monitoring, behavioral assessment, and specialized care.
“The Bica team, veterinarians, handlers, and technicians are fully dedicated to Leona's well-being, ensuring that she recovers, stabilizes emotionally, and resumes her routine safely,” the zoo concluded.