Lioness Returns to João Pessoa Zoo Enclosure After Four Days in Isolation

Overview

• Gerson de Melo Machado, 19, died on Nov. 30 after entering the lioness Leona’s enclosure at Parque Arruda Câmara in João Pessoa.
• Security footage shows him climbing a side structure and using a tree to access the enclosure before the attack.
• Leona was isolated for four days, showed stress initially, and has been readapted to her enclosure under multidisciplinary monitoring.
• The on-duty police delegate ordered forensic examinations of the enclosure and the victim and requested security camera images.
• Authorities report no evident security failures and say the inquiry is expected to be reassigned to a district unit, potentially João Pessoa’s 2nd District.