Learn about ‘Vaqueirinho’, man killed by lion in João Pessoa zoo

The young man known as ‘Vaqueirinho’, 19 years old, was killed on Sunday (30) after entering a lion’s cage and being attacked at a zoo in João Pessoa. He was well known by the police and had been arrested more than 10 times, according to the portal ClickPB. Last week, ‘Vaqueirinho’ was arrested by the Military Police for attempting to damage two ATMs in the Mangabeira neighborhood. He was taken to the Central Police Station in Geisel and released shortly after signing a Summary Offense Occurrence (TCO). Shortly after, he was arrested again for throwing stones at a PM patrol car near the Flagrantes Central, which broke part of the car’s previous glass. He was released last Friday (28), two days before his death. Invasion in the cage. Images taken by visitors at Parque Arruda Câmara, known as Bica, show the moment ‘Vaqueirinho’ enters the cage through the side structure and, after moving a bit, climbs down a tree. At that moment, he is attacked by the animal. Man killed by lion climbed over 6 meters to enter zoo cage. The municipality of João Pessoa stated that ‘quickly and surprisingly, he climbed a wall of over 6 meters, the safety bars, accessed one of the trees and invaded the enclosure’. According to the Civil Police forensic team, the man acted in a possible suicide attempt. In the images circulating on social media, it is also possible to see the bloody body of the man and the lion with blood marks. Bica was indefinitely closed for the progress of the investigations into the case. See the municipality’s statement: ‘The Municipality of João Pessoa, through the Secretariat of Environment (Semam), informs that on Sunday morning (30), an unidentified man deliberately invaded the lion’s enclosure at the Arruda Câmara Zoobotanical Park (Bica). Quickly and surprisingly, he climbed a wall of over 6 meters, the safety bars, accessed one of the trees and invaded the enclosure. According to the Civil Police forensic team, the man acted in a possible suicide attempt. While the security teams tried to prevent the action, the man quickly accessed the enclosure and died from injuries caused by the animal. As soon as the incident was confirmed, the park was immediately closed for safety procedures and body removal. Semam has already started investigating the circumstances of the incident and is collaborating with the competent authorities. The Municipality expresses solidarity with the victim’s family and clarifies that, despite all the existing security, which meets technical standards, the man insisted on entering, culminating in this regrettable episode.’ See Bica’s full statement: ‘The Arruda Câmara Zoobotanic Park (Bica) deeply regrets the incident on Sunday morning (30), when a man deliberately invaded the lion’s enclosure, resulting in his death. This is an extremely sad episode for all, and we express our solidarity and feelings to the family and friends of the man, still unidentified. As soon as the incident was confirmed, the park was immediately closed, following all safety protocols. The teams contacted the competent authorities and provided the necessary support for assistance and forensic work. We inform that Bica will remain closed to visitors until the investigations and official procedures are concluded, prioritizing transparency and commitment to the safety of our visitors, employees, and animals. We emphasize that the park follows strict technical standards and safety guidelines, and we are fully collaborating with all responsible entities to clarify the facts.’