Video footage appears to capture the moment a man asked onlookers to take a photo of him with a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, in what could be the last known recording of the victim before he was mauled to death.
In the footage, the man approaches a couple and asks, “Can you grab a shot of me with the tiger?” The footage focuses on the tiger in the enclosure, and the man’s identity is not shown. A woman agrees to help, before he can be heard asking her for “one more”. He thanks her before the footage cuts.
Emergency response and police statement
Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday when the man entered the enclosure and was set upon by the tiger. He was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police (SYP) said, adding his family had been informed.
A police spokesperson said: “At 1.35pm today (Saturday October 10) we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.”
“The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury. Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.”
“The man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time. Regarding rumours surrounding the condition of the tiger, the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public.”
Park closure and background
The park was evacuated soon after the incident, and it was later announced that the attraction would remain closed on Sunday. Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s statement after the incident said: “The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.” Tickets remain on sale for entry to the park from Monday onwards.
A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesperson said two land ambulances, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor attended the scene. South Yorkshire Police said it was aware of the footage of the attack online and asked people not to share it.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with the Land of the Tigers attraction opening in 2011. The attraction is on a purpose-built two-acre reserve for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with around 500 left in the wild. Photos of the enclosure on the park’s website show a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam.
