Carole Baskin has said the tiger was not "doing anything wrong" as she responded to the fatal attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The American animal rights activist and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, best known for her appearance in the Netflix hit Tiger King, issued a written statement to The New York Post.
In the statement, Baskin said: "The tiger was not doing anything wrong by being a tiger. I am relieved to hear that the animal was not harmed. We don’t yet know all the circumstances that led to this man’s death, and it would be wrong to speculate."
Powerful wild predator
She added: "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 also offered her condolences, saying: "My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life today at Yorkshire Wildlife Park."
Park confirms tiger safe
In a statement on social media on Sunday, the wildlife park said "many, many people" had contacted them about Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, and confirmed he is "safe and well" and will not be euthanised.
The park added that members of staff were "deeply affected" by the incident and received specialist support. The park was evacuated soon after the incident and remained closed on Sunday.
Witness describes final moments
Witnesses have described the man's final moments before he was fatally mauled. Scarlet Hogan, 21, a pharmacy worker who saw the attack, said the man "was on all fours, praying and bowing down to the tiger. It was like he was waiting for the tiger".
Recordings circulated online prior to the attack, with one in which the man can be heard asking bystanders to photograph him. In the clip, he approaches a couple and asks, "Can you grab a shot of me with the tiger?" The camera remains focused on the tiger within its enclosure, and the man's face is not visible. A woman agrees to assist, before he can be heard requesting "one more".
