The council responsible for licensing Yorkshire Wildlife Park has launched a health and safety investigation after a man was fatally attacked by a tiger at the Doncaster attraction on Saturday.
The park remained closed on Monday as enquiries continue into the death of the man, who entered the big cat's enclosure and was attacked.
Council confirms investigation
Dan Swaine, executive director of place at City of Doncaster Council, confirmed: "As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation.
"We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident."
Mr Swaine added: "We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred this weekend and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone involved, including the family and loved ones of the person who tragically lost their life, those that witnessed the incident and the staff involved at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, as well as the emergency services who provided a swift response."
Concerns raised over response
Angela Seivewright, a local resident who laid flowers at the park gates, said she believed the victim may have had additional needs and expressed concern that the public "seemed to care more about the tiger".
Ms Seivewright said: "I believe that the person who was killed had additional needs. And, when I looked at social media over the weekend, when I said I hoped the person was OK, I got really bullied a lot – saying that he deserved to die."
She added: "I have a special needs child and I think he was doing sign language to the tiger. So, it just felt it was really unfair that people were almost wishing him to die as opposed to not wanting anybody to be hurt."
Police and council responses
South Yorkshire Police will not be releasing the man's identity at his family's request, the Press Association understands.
Councillor Steve Cox, representing the Finningley ward which covers the wildlife park, said: "I really feel for the staff, they've got protocols they have to go through. It's really sad, but I'm sure everybody did what they could."
Doncaster's deputy civic mayor, Councillor Nick Allen, commented: "We don't know all the circumstances yet and the speculation online is obviously upsetting and unneeded."
Emergency services were alerted shortly after 1.30pm on 10 October when the man entered the enclosure. He was declared dead at the scene, with his family having been notified.
The wildlife park confirmed that Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, is "safe and well" and will not be put down. Staff members are receiving specialist support.
