After almost a year of death in a lioness enclosure, MP opens investigation to investigate safety conditions in João Pessoa zoo

The Paraíba MP launched an investigation this Wednesday (11) to assess the safety of the Bica zoo. The investigation takes place after the death of a young man in a lioness cage.

The Municipal Environment Secretariat did not deliver technical reports or the full internal investigation. The agency has until November 23rd to respond.

On November 30, 2025, Gerson de Melo Machado, aged 19, died after entering the cage. The young man suffered from schizophrenia.

The Public Ministry of Paraíba opened a civil inquiry on Wednesday (11) to investigate the safety and operating conditions of the Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park, known as Bica, in João Pessoa. The decision comes almost a year after the death of Gerson de Melo Machado, aged 19, who broke into the lioness' cage, in November 2025.

The decision is made by prosecutor Edmilson Campos Leite Filho and the investigation into the measures adopted focuses on the adequacy of the containment structures of large feline enclosures, animal management and welfare and preventive and corrective measures adopted after the death that occurred at the zoo.

According to the MPPB, the Municipal Environment Secretariat (SEMAM) informed in a letter that it adopted several measures after the incident, such as training employees, strengthening protective structures, installing new monitoring cameras and intensifying the activities of the Municipal Guard.

However, the agency points out that no technical reports, inspection records or other documents were delivered to assess whether the implementation of the measures was effective in guaranteeing the safety of enclosures intended for big cats. Furthermore, SEMAN also did not present the full investigation into the internal administrative procedure adopted after the death of a young man.

Due to the lack of documents, the prosecutor also requested a response to the letters sent to the secretariat by November 23, 2026.

g1 contacted SEMAN and the press office said it would comment on the case.

Gerson de Melo Machado, aged 19, died on November 30, 2025 after being attacked by a lioness in a zoo in João Pessoa. Machado quickly climbed a wall of more than 6 meters, passed through the security bars, used a tree for support and entered the lioness' enclosure.

The young man suffered from schizophrenia, a disease diagnosed late, according to guardianship counselor Verônica Oliveira, who had been with him since he was 10 years old.

The attack occurred during park opening hours and was recorded by visitors who were there. The zoo was closed after the attack and visits were suspended.

The lioness, who was stressed and in shock after the episode, was contained by the technical team.