Carole Baskin, star of the Tiger King show, has pleaded with officials not to put down the tiger that killed a man who entered its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster. The big-cat activist said no blame should fall on the animal, which has so far not been put down.
Man killed after entering tiger enclosure
Tragedy struck yesterday after a man was mauled to death at the park after reportedly “jumping off” a viewing platform. Terrified witnesses recalled seeing a “pool of blood” as the man was dragged away by the neck by a tiger called Altai.
Police and paramedics rushed to the scene near Doncaster, but the man died at the scene.
Baskin urges against quick decisions
In a written statement to The New York Post, Baskin said: “The tiger was not doing anything wrong by being a tiger. I am relieved to hear that the animal was not harmed.”
She insisted officials should not make any quick decisions. “We don’t yet know all the circumstances that led to this man’s death, and it would be wrong to speculate,” she explained. “What we do know is that a tiger is a powerful wild predator, and no amount of captivity, training, or familiarity can change that.”
Condolences and call for reflection
Baskin offered her condolences to the family of the deceased. “My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life today at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.”
“No family should have to endure such a devastating loss, and my thoughts are also with those who witnessed this tragedy.”
Baskin is the CEO of Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit organisation based in Tampa, which works to end the exploitation of big cats in captivity.
“Tragedies like this remind us why that work matters,” Baskin said. “My hope is that this terrible loss will lead to meaningful reflection about our relationship with wild animals, and a future where both people and tigers are safer because we have chosen to protect wild cats where they belong: in the wild.”
