Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Coventina

(29,180 posts)
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 04:30 PM Dec 3

Zoo lion that fatally mauled man that jumped into lion exhibit will NOT be euthanized

A lioness that killed a 19-year-old man at a Brazilian zoo in front of horrified zoo visitors is not expected to be euthanized, according to multiple media reports.

The Nov. 30 incident occurred after Gerson de Melo Machado, who reportedly had a history of mental illness, climbed into the animal’s enclosure at Parque Zoobotânica Arruda Câmara in João Pessoa, Brazil, according to the Brazilian news outlet Correio Braziliense.

Hard to watch footage of the incident posted to X shows the 19-year-old scaling the upper wall and fence of the lion’s cage and then lowering himself down a tree.

The incident happened so fast that park authorities could not respond in time, leaving the terrible ordeal to unfold in front of families watching from outside the lion’s enclosure.

https://www.wtrf.com/news/zoo-lion-that-fatally-mauled-man-that-jumped-into-lion-exhibit-will-not-be-euthanized/

********************************************************************************************************************

Good, there are zero reasons why she should be killed for being a lion defending her territory from an intruder.

49 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Zoo lion that fatally mauled man that jumped into lion exhibit will NOT be euthanized (Original Post) Coventina Dec 3 OP
Good LetMyPeopleVote Dec 3 #1
I'm fine with this MustLoveBeagles Dec 3 #2
Agreed, that Lioness was doing what she's supposed to do, MarineCombatEngineer Dec 3 #3
Good. I am still pissed off about Harambe. marble falls Dec 3 #4
Chief was a polar bear at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI Bettie Dec 3 #15
... pazzyanne Dec 4 #34
Good. Behind the Aegis Dec 3 #5
I agree, his death is tragic, but not the lioness' fault. Coventina Dec 3 #7
Agree on both counts! Behind the Aegis Dec 3 #8
I didn't realize that MustLoveBeagles Dec 3 #9
As some author termed it in some novel years ago, "evolution in progress." n/t the nelm Dec 3 #17
Also deaths at auto-safaris do occur. GreenWave Dec 3 #6
Good! SheltieLover Dec 3 #10
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Dec 3 #11
There is no proof that humans taste any better than any other prey animal. Coventina Dec 3 #21
Concern by whom? Torchlight Dec 3 #30
Good, finally some common sense about this. Warpy Dec 3 #12
Leoness the lioness is saved Clouds Passing Dec 3 #13
With his history of mental illness, he needed to be supervised like one would do a small child. n/t iluvtennis Dec 3 #14
yes Skittles Dec 3 #16
Yes, so tragic. n/t iluvtennis Dec 3 #20
Skittles! jfz9580m Dec 17 #49
Great news! StarryNite Dec 3 #18
The lion was loving that 'long pork' pfitz59 Dec 3 #19
Hope they cut back the branches on the tree. Figarosmom Dec 3 #22
Lions cannot distinguish between prey and idiots. Sneederbunk Dec 3 #23
He was a bloody idiot canetoad Dec 3 #24
Glad to hear it. (nt) Paladin Dec 3 #25
Good! yardwork Dec 3 #26
Good. Animals shouldn't have to pay with their lives for acts of human stupidity. Crunchy Frog Dec 3 #27
A very similar incident years ago catchnrelease Dec 3 #28
So glad for Leona the Lioness, but sad for the young schizophrenic man. niyad Dec 3 #29
The end results seems to suggest that he would not have been very good at it. Aristus Dec 4 #40
In his case, it appears to have been mental illness. niyad Dec 4 #48
WONDERFUL🦁why should the lion suffer Raine Dec 3 #31
Glad the lioness was not killed. But for goodness sake the guy was suffering from mental illness; NOT "an idiot"! Its.. electric_blue68 Dec 3 #32
Proves that good ol' Charlie Darwin was right! Enter stage left Dec 3 #33
Great news. Celerity Dec 4 #35
Your thoughts, GrumpyCat? OldBaldy1701E Dec 4 #36
Darwin was wrong LPBBEAR Dec 4 #37
It's about time we stop punishing animals for the idiotic things that we do. Borogove Dec 4 #38
HIstory of mental illness. Ruh roh. twodogsbarking Dec 4 #39
Pardon my ignorance, but what does "ruh roh" mean in this context? Martin68 Dec 4 #42
We could all be there. I am hoping not. I feel for him. Sad, isn't it? twodogsbarking Dec 4 #44
Excellent news. The animal may be more dangerous as a result of the experience, but that isn't the lion's fault. Martin68 Dec 4 #41
Your brain isn't always your friend. It is sad. twodogsbarking Dec 4 #45
Animals should not suffer... BH liberal Dec 4 #43
This message was self-deleted by its author cstanleytech Dec 4 #46
You, it wasn't the lions fault for doing what lions do. cstanleytech Dec 4 #47

LetMyPeopleVote

(175,026 posts)
1. Good
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 04:32 PM
Dec 3

The lion is not at fault here. This idiot in effect committed suicide by climbing into this enclosure

MustLoveBeagles

(14,805 posts)
2. I'm fine with this
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 04:34 PM
Dec 3

I feel bad that someone died but damnit the guy shouldve known better. Warning signs aren't just suggestions people.

MarineCombatEngineer

(17,755 posts)
3. Agreed, that Lioness was doing what she's supposed to do,
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 04:38 PM
Dec 3

she's not at fault and I'm happy to see that the authorities agree.

Bettie

(19,288 posts)
15. Chief was a polar bear at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:35 PM
Dec 3

Late 80's a mentally ill man jumped a 15 foot moat and climbed a wall to get into the enclosure.

He was killed by a cop....the bear, not the dude.

Behind the Aegis

(55,930 posts)
5. Good.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 04:44 PM
Dec 3

I was going to make a joke, but I see the person suffered from mental illness, and not some run of the mill dumbass.

Behind the Aegis

(55,930 posts)
8. Agree on both counts!
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 04:52 PM
Dec 3

An animal reacting as an animal in an enclosure, should NOT be put to death!! EVER! Well, unless it is sick. Of course, I also feel the same about dogs who are used to kill or attack, if anyone is to be "put down" it SHOULD BE the OWNER!

GreenWave

(12,368 posts)
6. Also deaths at auto-safaris do occur.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 04:45 PM
Dec 3

Dummies get out to get a snapshot of the Big Kitty and the lioness moves in for the kill.

Response to Coventina (Original post)

Coventina

(29,180 posts)
21. There is no proof that humans taste any better than any other prey animal.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:56 PM
Dec 3

The case of habitual "man-eaters" is related to the following

1. Lack of access to their natural prey.
2. A physical injury to the predator that makes humans an easier target.
3. Humans in general are slow and clumsy and easy to catch (as long as the human doesn't have a firearm)

Warpy

(114,398 posts)
12. Good, finally some common sense about this.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:26 PM
Dec 3

Using the death penalty against any animal that has been true to its nature in defending its small territory against stupid humans who invade it is a good thing.

I can see the point of culling wild lions who have developed a taste for human meat but that doesn't apply in zoos. Besides, it sounds like this lion was just righteously pissed off and not looking for dinner.

iluvtennis

(21,470 posts)
14. With his history of mental illness, he needed to be supervised like one would do a small child. n/t
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:28 PM
Dec 3

jfz9580m

(16,584 posts)
49. Skittles!
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 12:14 AM
Dec 17

It caught my eye last week and I started working out again.
I am building structure into my life..

Supervision..now them’s fighting words..

Hi Skittles,
I haven’t seen you post about kicking anyone’s ass lately. Has Trump demoralized even you

No kicking my ass! That’s totally in violation of DU rules

Figarosmom

(9,783 posts)
22. Hope they cut back the branches on the tree.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 06:01 PM
Dec 3

Once that lioness saw the guy climb in I'm sure she could figure out how to get out.

catchnrelease

(2,133 posts)
28. A very similar incident years ago
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 06:38 PM
Dec 3

In 1980 a man did almost the same thing at a zoo near me--the person climbed up a very high wall and across to a tree. Then he jumped down into the lion exhibit where he was killed. He had with him some religious items, so it was thought he figured if Daniel could go into the lion's den, then he could as well. It happened during a quiet time at the zoo and the lion dragged the body to a secluded area of the exhibit. The poor animal keeper was traumatized when he discovered what had happened. (The man was partially eaten) The lion was not killed, thankfully, altho' when the police arrived they were ready to start blasting away and had to be made to hold off.

Religious mania or mental illness or both?

niyad

(129,620 posts)
29. So glad for Leona the Lioness, but sad for the young schizophrenic man.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 06:39 PM
Dec 3

He should not have been without supervision. According to the article, he wanted to be a lion tamer.

Aristus

(71,671 posts)
40. The end results seems to suggest that he would not have been very good at it.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 11:55 AM
Dec 4

I'm glad the lioness is not going to be euthanized. The things we blame on animals that can be chalked up to human stupidity instead...

electric_blue68

(25,961 posts)
32. Glad the lioness was not killed. But for goodness sake the guy was suffering from mental illness; NOT "an idiot"! Its..
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 10:25 PM
Dec 3

a tragedy. 😑

The lioness was just doing what would be natural - defending her territory.

LPBBEAR

(639 posts)
37. Darwin was wrong
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 09:59 AM
Dec 4

Time and time again the proof is out there.

It was never "Survival Of The Fittest"

It was always "Departure Of The Dumbest".

Martin68

(27,083 posts)
41. Excellent news. The animal may be more dangerous as a result of the experience, but that isn't the lion's fault.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 12:04 PM
Dec 4

It's sad that the young man apparently suffered from mental illness and did not understand the danger.

Response to Coventina (Original post)

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Zoo lion that fatally mau...