A man died on Saturday (October 11th) after being attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. The man entered an enclosure housing two Amur tigers and was fatally mauled. He sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. South Yorkshire Police said his family have since been informed.
Videos circulating online appear to show a man being pawed at and grappled by a tiger inside the enclosure. Police said they were aware of the footage and urged people not to share it.
Echoes of Oklahoma mauling
The incident echoes another fatal attack last year, when tiger handler Ryan Easley was mauled to death by an animal he had raised from a cub in Oklahoma.
Commenting on the US incident at the time, wildlife biologist Forrest Galante explained why a tiger's familiarity with a person does not necessarily make it any less dangerous, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the animals.
Speaking about Ryan's death, he said: "The tiger did not attack him maliciously or attack him viciously, it was simply a mistake".
Unpredictable big cats
He went on to explain how "one little mistake", whether caused by agitation or even an attempt to show affection, can prove fatal.
"The difference with your house cat is it's a little scratch, but with a tiger it's just a poorly placed bite that can end someone like Ryan's life," he told News Nation.
"That variable of unpredictability that large cats exhibit and the fact that that predator behaviour is there means you can never truly trust them," he added. "These accidents happen around these big cats, it is the reason why so many institutions are against hands-on work with them."
He continued: "The unfortunate thing about it is it's not the tiger's fault, while the tiger may have given him a love bite, ultimately it was just poorly placed and it ended Ryan's life, it was just a cat being a cat."
Park remains closed
Yorkshire Wildlife Park began operating in 2009, with its 'Land of the Tigers' attraction opening two years later. A description about the experience reads on the park's website: "Take a spectacular walk along the 300 meter long raised walkway above 'Land of the Tigers' for the best views of these magnificent big cats."
Following the incident, police said: "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." The park remains closed until further notice.
