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Coventina

(29,633 posts)
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:30 PM Dec 2025

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
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Zoo lion that fatally mauled man that jumped into lion exhibit will NOT be euthanized (Original Post) Coventina Dec 2025 OP
Good LetMyPeopleVote Dec 2025 #1
I'm fine with this MustLoveBeagles Dec 2025 #2
Agreed, that Lioness was doing what she's supposed to do, MarineCombatEngineer Dec 2025 #3
Good. I am still pissed off about Harambe. marble falls Dec 2025 #4
Chief was a polar bear at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI Bettie Dec 2025 #15
... pazzyanne Dec 2025 #34
Good. Behind the Aegis Dec 2025 #5
I agree, his death is tragic, but not the lioness' fault. Coventina Dec 2025 #7
Agree on both counts! Behind the Aegis Dec 2025 #8
I didn't realize that MustLoveBeagles Dec 2025 #9
As some author termed it in some novel years ago, "evolution in progress." n/t the nelm Dec 2025 #17
Also deaths at auto-safaris do occur. GreenWave Dec 2025 #6
Good! SheltieLover Dec 2025 #10
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Dec 2025 #11
There is no proof that humans taste any better than any other prey animal. Coventina Dec 2025 #21
Concern by whom? Torchlight Dec 2025 #30
Good, finally some common sense about this. Warpy Dec 2025 #12
Leoness the lioness is saved Clouds Passing Dec 2025 #13
With his history of mental illness, he needed to be supervised like one would do a small child. n/t iluvtennis Dec 2025 #14
yes Skittles Dec 2025 #16
Yes, so tragic. n/t iluvtennis Dec 2025 #20
Skittles! jfz9580m Dec 17 #49
Great news! StarryNite Dec 2025 #18
The lion was loving that 'long pork' pfitz59 Dec 2025 #19
Hope they cut back the branches on the tree. Figarosmom Dec 2025 #22
Lions cannot distinguish between prey and idiots. Sneederbunk Dec 2025 #23
He was a bloody idiot canetoad Dec 2025 #24
Glad to hear it. (nt) Paladin Dec 2025 #25
Good! yardwork Dec 2025 #26
Good. Animals shouldn't have to pay with their lives for acts of human stupidity. Crunchy Frog Dec 2025 #27
A very similar incident years ago catchnrelease Dec 2025 #28
So glad for Leona the Lioness, but sad for the young schizophrenic man. niyad Dec 2025 #29
The end results seems to suggest that he would not have been very good at it. Aristus Dec 2025 #40
In his case, it appears to have been mental illness. niyad Dec 2025 #48
WONDERFUL🦁why should the lion suffer Raine Dec 2025 #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 2025 #32
Proves that good ol' Charlie Darwin was right! Enter stage left Dec 2025 #33
Great news. Celerity Dec 2025 #35
Your thoughts, GrumpyCat? OldBaldy1701E Dec 2025 #36
Darwin was wrong LPBBEAR Dec 2025 #37
It's about time we stop punishing animals for the idiotic things that we do. Borogove Dec 2025 #38
HIstory of mental illness. Ruh roh. twodogsbarking Dec 2025 #39
Pardon my ignorance, but what does "ruh roh" mean in this context? Martin68 Dec 2025 #42
We could all be there. I am hoping not. I feel for him. Sad, isn't it? twodogsbarking Dec 2025 #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 2025 #41
Your brain isn't always your friend. It is sad. twodogsbarking Dec 2025 #45
Animals should not suffer... BH liberal Dec 2025 #43
This message was self-deleted by its author cstanleytech Dec 2025 #46
You, it wasn't the lions fault for doing what lions do. cstanleytech Dec 2025 #47

LetMyPeopleVote

(178,969 posts)
1. Good
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:32 PM
Dec 2025

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

MustLoveBeagles

(15,988 posts)
2. I'm fine with this
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:34 PM
Dec 2025

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

MarineCombatEngineer

(18,044 posts)
3. Agreed, that Lioness was doing what she's supposed to do,
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:38 PM
Dec 2025

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

Bettie

(19,612 posts)
15. Chief was a polar bear at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 06:35 PM
Dec 2025

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

(56,100 posts)
5. Good.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:44 PM
Dec 2025

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

(56,100 posts)
8. Agree on both counts!
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:52 PM
Dec 2025

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

(12,606 posts)
6. Also deaths at auto-safaris do occur.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 05:45 PM
Dec 2025

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

(29,633 posts)
21. There is no proof that humans taste any better than any other prey animal.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 06:56 PM
Dec 2025

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

(114,559 posts)
12. Good, finally some common sense about this.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 06:26 PM
Dec 2025

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

(21,494 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, 06:28 PM
Dec 2025

jfz9580m

(17,046 posts)
49. Skittles!
Wed Dec 17, 2025, 01:14 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

(11,576 posts)
22. Hope they cut back the branches on the tree.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 07:01 PM
Dec 2025

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

catchnrelease

(2,151 posts)
28. A very similar incident years ago
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 07:38 PM
Dec 2025

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

(131,925 posts)
29. So glad for Leona the Lioness, but sad for the young schizophrenic man.
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 07:39 PM
Dec 2025

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

Aristus

(72,085 posts)
40. The end results seems to suggest that he would not have been very good at it.
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 12:55 PM
Dec 2025

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

(26,777 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, 11:25 PM
Dec 2025

a tragedy. 😑

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

LPBBEAR

(651 posts)
37. Darwin was wrong
Thu Dec 4, 2025, 10:59 AM
Dec 2025

Time and time again the proof is out there.

It was never "Survival Of The Fittest"

It was always "Departure Of The Dumbest".

Martin68

(27,590 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, 01:04 PM
Dec 2025

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

Response to Coventina (Original post)

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