Horrified families screamed in terror as a man was mauled to death in a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, as zookeepers did 'everything they could' to stop the attack, insiders have said. Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday October 10, 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. Disturbing footage circulating online appeared to capture the victim standing while gesturing towards a tiger. He could be seen being attacked by the large predator, as onlookers frantically yelled from an observation platform trying to divert the creature. One male witness was heard exclaiming "Jesus Christ", while a woman could be heard stating: "I tried to stop him". She was also heard instructing another observer: "Don't look," as the harrowing scene unfolded.
Witness describes victim's behaviour before attack
One visitor revealed she had witnessed the victim's behaviour minutes before he jumped into the Amur tigers' two-acre enclosure. She said: "The man who I saw on the bridge with his AirPods in dancing was happily enjoying seeing the tiger. 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. I'm not sure if he was with a carer or family member but I honestly do think he just wanted to play with the tiger."
Visitor Tia Hanson said: "It looks as if someone has jumped into the enclosure. There were loads of police and ambulance people and a stretcher in the enclosure as well. It wasn't nice - there were lots of people who looked really upset. They put up a sort of black tarpaulin so you couldn't really see."
Park evacuated and warning shots fired
Karmelle Pelham, 39, from Worksop, was on a family day out when staff informed visitors the park needed to be evacuated. She said: "We were in a lemur enclosure and somebody asked us to start leaving. Then, all of a sudden, we were being ushered further and further into the park." She described subsequently hearing several gunshots before a helicopter appeared overhead, adding: "That's when we started thinking, 'Oh, something's happened'."
Emergency services arrived at the park before a "black screen" was put up around the enclosure. An insider said: "Shots were fired into the air to make a noise and distract the tiger. The animal wasn't shot and is absolutely fine and not injured. The barriers are huge. You would have to really want to get inside the enclosure to be able to do it. From start to end the incident was over within minutes. The keepers did everything they could. It's horrific."
Park closed and investigation underway
A statement on the park's website said: "We can confirm a serious incident has occurred at the tiger enclosure. Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated. We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow."
Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones said in a statement she was "deeply saddened to hear of the tragic incident that has taken place at Yorkshire Wildlife Park". She added: "My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved at this immensely difficult time."
A South Yorkshire Police spokesman 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."
Following the incident, Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated and officers remain on scene carrying out enquiries. The park first welcomed visitors in April 2009. Two years later, in 2011, its Land of the Tigers attraction was unveiled, allowing guests to view the big cats from a 300-metre-long elevated walkway positioned above the enclosure. The park is home to two Amur tigers: a 17-stone female named Tschuna and a male named Altai, who only joined the park in March last year. A Yorkshire Air Ambulance spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched to an incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park today, alongside other ambulance resources."
