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

[Coventina]

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/

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

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. Good

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

[MustLoveBeagles]

2. I'm fine with this

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

[MarineCombatEngineer]

3. Agreed, that Lioness was doing what she's supposed to do,

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

[marble falls]

4. Good. I am still pissed off about Harambe.

[Bettie]

15. Chief was a polar bear at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI

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.

[pazzyanne]

34. ...

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Good.

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

[Coventina]

7. I agree, his death is tragic, but not the lioness' fault.

So she should not be "punished."

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Agree on both counts!

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!

[MustLoveBeagles]

9. I didn't realize that

Thanks for clarifying

[the nelm]

17. As some author termed it in some novel years ago, "evolution in progress." n/t

[GreenWave]

6. Also deaths at auto-safaris do occur.

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

[SheltieLover]

10. Good!

[Coventina]

21. There is no proof that humans taste any better than any other prey animal.

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)

[Torchlight]

30. Concern by whom?

[Warpy]

12. Good, finally some common sense about this.

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.

[Clouds Passing]

13. Leoness the lioness is saved

[iluvtennis]

14. With his history of mental illness, he needed to be supervised like one would do a small child. n/t

[Skittles]

16. yes

that poor chap needed structure and supervision in his life, very tragic

[iluvtennis]

20. Yes, so tragic. n/t

[StarryNite]

18. Great news!

[pfitz59]

19. The lion was loving that 'long pork'

as any lion would.

[Figarosmom]

22. Hope they cut back the branches on the tree.

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

[Sneederbunk]

23. Lions cannot distinguish between prey and idiots.

[canetoad]

24. He was a bloody idiot

Hope he hadn't reproduced.

[Paladin]

25. Glad to hear it. (nt)

[yardwork]

26. Good!

[Crunchy Frog]

27. Good. Animals shouldn't have to pay with their lives for acts of human stupidity.

[catchnrelease]

28. A very similar incident years ago

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]

29. So glad for Leona the Lioness, but sad for the young schizophrenic man.

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

[Aristus]

40. The end results seems to suggest that he would not have been very good at it.

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...

[niyad]

48. In his case, it appears to have been mental illness.

[Raine]

31. WONDERFUL🦁why should the lion suffer

because of an idiot.

[electric_blue68]

32. Glad the lioness was not killed. But for goodness sake the guy was suffering from mental illness; NOT "an idiot"! Its..

a tragedy. 😑

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

[Enter stage left]

33. Proves that good ol' Charlie Darwin was right!

[Celerity]

35. Great news.

[OldBaldy1701E]

36. Your thoughts, GrumpyCat?

[LPBBEAR]

37. Darwin was wrong

Time and time again the proof is out there.

It was never "Survival Of The Fittest"

It was always "Departure Of The Dumbest".

[Borogove]

38. It's about time we stop punishing animals for the idiotic things that we do.

[twodogsbarking]

39. HIstory of mental illness. Ruh roh.

[Martin68]

42. Pardon my ignorance, but what does "ruh roh" mean in this context?

[twodogsbarking]

44. We could all be there. I am hoping not. I feel for him. Sad, isn't it?

[Martin68]

41. Excellent news. The animal may be more dangerous as a result of the experience, but that isn't the lion's fault.

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

[twodogsbarking]

45. Your brain isn't always your friend. It is sad.

[BH liberal]

43. Animals should not suffer...

as a result of stupid and reckless human behaviors.

[cstanleytech]

47. You, it wasn't the lions fault for doing what lions do.