An expert has said that incidents like the fatal tiger attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park cannot always be eliminated, despite strict safety rules at UK zoos. William Chapman died at the scene after being mauled by a Siberian tiger on October 10.
The man, who reportedly visited the park alone, jumped inside the enclosure and had asked someone to take a picture with him and the wild cat moments before he was attacked.
Zoo safety standards under scrutiny
Dr Campbell Murn, a lecturer in Conservation Science at the University of Reading, said: "There's an enormous amount of effort that goes into the securing of public safety for people who are visiting zoos, in addition to the weight that's given to animal welfare in those settings as well."
"So it's certainly something that is a very big and integral part of the zoo standards in this country."
The expert, who is also a former member of the government's expert committee for zoos, explained that zoos with dangerous wild animals have enclosure designs that follow set regulations and staff trained in emergency responses.
Expert: Visitors can find a way in
Staff at the wildlife park reportedly fired five loud acoustic gun blasts in an attempt to distract the tiger, but it did not work. Dr Murn said he does not believe the tragic incident was a result of a safety failure, but rather "it was not possible to get there before the visitor was injured and subsequently died."
He also said mitigating the risk of a visitor entering the enclosure of a dangerous animal was "difficult". He said: "Even the most elaborate enclosure, if they really want to get in, they're going to find a way".
According to the professor, the focus needs to be on preventing the ease with which it can happen. He explained that making it more difficult "would minimise or reduce the risk, but it's never going to truly eliminate it".
Call for stronger regulations
He added: "There are some zoos in this country that I don't think are up to standard, and the process of phasing those out or improving the standards in those zoos is slow. There is a process in place, but it can't happen overnight."
"So, I strongly would support the strengthening of regulations further."
Yorkshire Wildlife Park remains closed as investigations into the death of Mr Chapman continue.
