Carole Baskin, the animal sanctuary executive featured in the Netflix documentary series Tiger King, has broken her silence after a man was mauled to death by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Baskin, 65, said the tiger "was not doing anything wrong by being a tiger" and added that she was "relieved" the 30st Siberian tiger Altai was not hurt during the incident.
Baskin's statement on the tragedy
She said: "We don't yet know all the circumstances that led to this man's death, and it would be wrong to speculate. What we do know is that a tiger is a powerful wild predator, and no amount of captivity, training, or familiarity can change that."
Baskin, who founded Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, added: "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."
Details of the incident
The man, who has not been named, was spotted dancing on a raised viewing platform overlooking the enclosure shortly before 1.30pm when he asked eyewitness Del Taylor, 31, to take his picture with Altai. Video footage captured him excitedly asking her: "One more, one more, one more."
He then climbed over a one-metre railing and fell 15ft into the pen before coming face-to-face with the wild animal. Chilling video footage captured him yelling "no, no, no" and "stop, stop, stop, stop, stop" as the tiger circled him and then lunged for his neck.
Impact and reaction
Five-year-old Siberian Tiger Altai, who was born in Norway, remains safe and well and will not be put down after the incident.
Baskin said: "Tragedies like this remind us why that work matters. 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."
