Yorkshire Wildlife Park has confirmed that Altai the tiger is safe and well and will not be euthanised following the death of a man who entered the enclosure. The man was seriously injured and later died after being attacked by the animal at the park near Doncaster yesterday.
Park statement on Altai's future
In a statement released today, park bosses said they had received enquiries from "many, many people" about what would happen to Altai after the tragedy. They confirmed that Altai is "safe and well" and "will not be euthanised as a result of this incident."
The park will remain closed today while staff, who were "deeply affected by events," receive specialist support.
Statement from Yorkshire Wildlife Park
The statement read: "We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday's tragic incident. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life."
"The park will be closed today while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support. Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident."
Police and witness accounts
A police spokesperson said yesterday: "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 about the tiger's condition, the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident, and there is no wider risk to the public.
Emergency services raced to the scene before a "black screen" was erected 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."
One visitor said she had observed the victim's behaviour just 20 minutes before he leapt into the Amur tigers' two-acre enclosure. She said: "Twenty minutes before today's tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park this tiger was sat enjoying the sunshine. 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."
