South Yorkshire Police have appealed to the public not to circulate distressing footage of a man being fatally mauled by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster. The plea comes as officers continue their investigation into the incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, October 10.
The man entered an enclosure containing a tiger at approximately 1.35pm, triggering an emergency response. The animal attacked him, inflicting severe injuries. Despite frantic attempts by medical staff to save him, the man was declared dead at the scene.
Police statement on circulating videos
In a statement, police said: "We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this footage." The force also sought to reassure the public about the tiger's condition, after speculation emerged following the attack.
Police confirmed the animal was unharmed and stayed within its enclosure after the incident. They added there was "no wider risk to the public", reports the Express. Yorkshire Wildlife Park have since confirmed that the tiger will not be euthanised following the incident.
Family support and ongoing investigation
The man's family has been notified of his death and is receiving support from specialist officers. Police said: "The man's family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time."
The wildlife park was cleared following the incident, while officers remained at the location conducting enquiries. Video footage circulating online seemed to capture the moment the individual was mauled by the massive feline in full view of guests. Eyewitness reports described horrified families looking on as the terrifying scene played out.
Details of the incident and response
One witness claimed the individual had scaled the barriers into the tiger's habitat before being set upon. The exact details of how he gained access, and the events leading up to the mauling, are still being investigated.
Yorkshire Ambulance Service confirmed that two road ambulances, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor rushed to the scene. Staff members were also said to have attempted to scare the tiger away from the victim using gas-powered noise devices, blasting loud sounds to try and divert the beast's attention.
The drama occurred in the attraction's Land of the Tigers section, which launched in 2011 and boasts a specially constructed, two-acre habitat for Siberian tigers. The breed, also called Amur tigers, faces extinction, with roughly 500 thought to survive in their natural habitat. The tiger responsible for Saturday's mauling, called Altai, joined Yorkshire Wildlife Park in February 2025 from Dyreparken Zoo in Norway, his birthplace.
Park closure and next steps
The attraction confirmed on Saturday that a grave incident had taken place at the tiger habitat and revealed its emergency protocols had been put into action. It stated it was collaborating closely with officials to determine precisely what had occurred, emphasising that the safety and welfare of guests, employees and animals remained its top concern. The attraction shut down following the incident and announced it would stay closed on Sunday while investigations carried on.
