Yorkshire Wildlife Park will remain closed on Sunday after a man died when he entered a tiger enclosure and was attacked by one of the animals.
Emergency services were called to the attraction near Doncaster at about 1.35pm on Saturday following reports that a man had entered the enclosure.
South Yorkshire Police said the tiger attacked the man, causing fatal injuries. Despite the efforts of paramedics and other emergency responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
Witnesses describe panic as visitors evacuated
Witnesses described scenes of panic as visitors were ushered from the site. According to the Daily Mail, one witness claimed the man had entered the enclosure before being attacked by a tiger while spectators watched nearby. Emergency services raced to the scene and the area was cleared shortly afterwards.
In a statement, South Yorkshire Police said: "At 1.35pm today 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."
No wider risk to public, police confirm
The force added there was "no wider risk to the public" and confirmed the tiger was uninjured and remained inside the enclosure following the incident.
Footage circulating on social media appeared to show the moments before and during the attack. Police said officers were aware of the videos and urged people not to share them.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Ambulance Service said two land ambulances, a critical care team, a doctor and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance attended the scene.
Park to remain closed on Sunday
The park was evacuated after the incident and later announced it would remain closed on Sunday.
A statement from Yorkshire Wildlife Park 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."
The attraction's website continued to offer tickets for visits from Monday onwards.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009 and launched its Land of the Tigers exhibit two years later. The attraction is home to Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with only around 500 believed to remain in the wild.
Images on the park's website show visitors viewing the animals from elevated walkways overlooking the enclosure, which is protected by a series of barriers and fencing.
South Yorkshire Police said enquiries into the circumstances of the incident were ongoing.
