A man has died after being attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster in northern England. South Yorkshire Police said the man entered the tiger enclosure on Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene despite efforts by emergency medical personnel.
Incident Details
Police were called at 1:35 p.m. local time on Saturday following reports that a man had entered the tiger enclosure at the park. The tiger subsequently attacked the man, causing serious injuries.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service dispatched two land ambulances, an air ambulance, and a doctor to the scene. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
South Yorkshire Police said the man’s family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers. The force said in a statement: ‘Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.’
Park Response
Yorkshire Wildlife Park said a serious incident occurred at the tiger enclosure and that its emergency response procedures were immediately activated.
A park spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply saddened by today’s tragic incident. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the person who has lost their life.’
The spokesperson added: ‘We are working closely with the police and relevant authorities and would ask that the privacy of those affected is respected at this extremely difficult time. The park will remain closed tomorrow.’
The park was evacuated following the incident and remained closed on Sunday.
Tiger Uninjured
Police said the tiger was uninjured and remained inside the enclosure following the incident. There was no wider risk to the public, and all visitors were evacuated.
Regarding rumours about the condition of the tiger, police stated: ‘The animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public.’
Officers remained at the scene carrying out inquiries.
Witness Accounts
A visitor to the park described seeing the man shortly before the incident. Marie Miller said she observed the man on a bridge with AirPods in, dancing, approximately 20 minutes before he entered the enclosure.
Miller said: ‘He obviously wasn’t with anyone and he asked a total stranger to take a picture of him with the tiger in the background. Probably the last photo on his phone.’
Another visitor, Karmelle Pelham, 39, from Worksop, was at the park with her family when staff informed visitors of an evacuation. She said she heard what sounded like gunshots and saw an air ambulance circling overhead.
Pelham said: ‘There was a big, black tarpaulin over the tiger enclosure.’ She praised park staff for their handling of the incident, saying it had been ‘very, very well organised.’
Enclosure Background
The Land of the Tigers area at Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2011. It is a purpose-built two-acre reserve for endangered Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers.
The enclosure includes a raised walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers roam. Amur tigers are an endangered subspecies with approximately 500 remaining in the wild.
Police said they were aware of videos circulating online of the incident and encouraged people not to share the footage.
The park said tickets remained available for admission from Monday onwards.
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