A man who visited Yorkshire Wildlife Park weeks before a fatal tiger attack has said he cannot work out how the tragedy happened, describing the enclosure's security measures as seemingly sound.
Alex Evans, Deputy Audience Editor, walked past the enclosure at the Doncaster attraction at the end of July. He said he saw Altai the tiger and a tigress during his visit. On Saturday afternoon, a man entered the enclosure and died of injuries sustained by the three-year-old endangered Amur tiger.
Enclosure design described as 'smart'
Evans described the enclosure as sitting below a walkway for visitors, about 10 to 15 minutes from the park entrance. The tigers are in a grassy area that slopes up to a treeline and raised wooden plinths. Visitors walk across a wooden bridge running along the perimeter, about one storey above ground level.
He said the design seemed smart because the ground immediately below the walkway is a steep drop of about 15 feet or more. The gradual slope means the tigers are often on higher ground, level with visitors' eyelines, making them easier to spot while maintaining a safe distance. About halfway down the bridge, there is a thatched hut with benches and information points.
Fence and electrification details
A mesh fence runs along the perimeter of the bridge and walkway, angling away from visitors rather than being vertical. Evans said the mesh is not connected to the bridge but set just beyond and below it, so a person would have to jump onto it and then jump off again to get in.
He believes the fence is electrified at the edge, recalling warning signs about electrification. Yorkshire Wildlife Park's website confirms that some of its enclosures have electric fences along the edges.
Evans said he is not suggesting he spotted an obvious flaw in the security that was a tragedy waiting to happen. He expressed deep sympathy for the victim, the animal, and the staff who have worked to make the park a family attraction while raising money to protect and conserve the critically endangered animals.
Park's future after incident
Evans noted that his two-year-old adored the day out, enjoying the polar bears, lions, and monkeys. He said he hopes Yorkshire Wildlife Park can bounce back from the tragic incident and that the victim's family can get the support they need.
