A teenager killed in a lion attack after he scaled a 20ft fence to enter the big cat enclosure has been pictured.

Gerson de Melo Machado, 19, died after breaking into the zoo in Parque Arruda Câmara, known as Bica, in João Pessoa, Brazil . He entered the enclosure after clambering over a tree, with the lioness pouncing on him when he landed on the ground. Images captured the moment the predator set upon him, prompting a massive emergency response, including from military police.

The victim is understood to have been suffering mental health problems and schizophrenia. He had been institutionalised as a child, before spending time in prison, according to local media.

The zoo was closed following the attack, with the Institute of Forensic Science of Paraíba (IPC) investigating. Zoo r

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