Tribute has been paid to the swift response of zookeepers at a wildlife park who attempted to save a man who climbed into an enclosure with a tiger. Witnesses said keepers did "all they could" to help the man who suffered fatal injuries after being mauled by the tiger.
Police were called to the park at around 1.35pm on Saturday to reports a man had entered the tiger enclosure. The man suffered fatal injuries after being attacked by one of the tigers and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police statement on the incident
In an updated statement on Saturday evening, a South Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "At 1.35pm today (Saturday 10 October) 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. We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this footage."
Park response and witnesses
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, in Doncaster, closed for the weekend and black screens were erected following the incident. The park has confirmed the tiger, named Altai, which was involved in the incident will not be euthanised.
Witnesses praised zookeepers who discharged gas-powered acoustic guns into the air to scare off the endangered Amur tiger, causing it to withdraw to an adjacent shelter, where it was promptly secured. The tiger was left unharmed.
One source told the Manchester Evening News: "From start to end, the incident was over within minutes. The keepers did everything they could. It's horrific." Amy, of Wakefield, recounted seeing police officers alongside three female keepers who were seated on the ground in the aftermath. "One had her head in her hands," she said.
Enclosure details and eyewitness account
The two-acre enclosure at the park is surrounded by a five-metre-high fence, and it is believed the man leapt from a viewing platform positioned atop the fence at one of its corners.
An eyewitness alleged that the man had posed for a photograph with the big cat visible in the background prior to the incident, and had been dancing and "happily enjoying seeing the tiger" on the bridge overlooking the enclosure.
Del Taylor was approached by the man and asked to take his photo shortly before leaping into the enclosure. Speaking to The Sun, Ms Taylor said the man asked her: "Can you grab a shot of myself with the tiger?"
She said: "He was completely alone. At first he was dancing on the bridge overlooking the enclosure. He ended up standing next to me. My partner was recording the tiger and you can hear me having this interaction. You can hear him asking for a photo. I took a couple of him with his back towards the enclosure. I positioned the camera so I could get Altai in it with him."
