A man mauled to death by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park appeared "so happy" shortly before the attack, according to one of the last people to interact with him. Del Taylor, who was visiting the Doncaster attraction with her boyfriend on Saturday, shared an emotional update on TikTok about her encounter with the man shortly before he entered the tiger enclosure.
Appearing to fight back tears as she addressed online speculation surrounding the victim, Ms Taylor said: "He was so happy and then he's come and placed himself next to us and he passed me his phone and he asked me for a photo." Ms Taylor previously told The Sun that the man had approached her and asked: "Can you grab a shot of myself with the tiger?"
Witnesses describe final moments
Footage taken by Ms Taylor's partner reportedly captured the man laughing as he requested another photograph, saying: "One more, one more, one more." After being handed his phone back, he reportedly told Ms Taylor: "Thank you lady." The couple then walked away before the man entered the enclosure, where he was attacked by Altai, an Amur tiger.
Another visitor, Alex Underwood, described seeing the man shortly before the tragedy. He told Sky News: "We were on the tiger bridge and I spotted him - he was dancing with his earphones on." Mr Underwood said the man asked for a photograph, adding: "He said 'can you take a photo of me please?'. She [my girlfriend] said 'yes'. Then he said 'another one, another one'. He didn't look into the camera. He looked at us both and said thank you."
Investigation launched
Another witness, Anthony Hunt, said he was taking pictures of the tiger with his girlfriend Scarlett when they noticed the animal's behaviour suddenly change. He told Sky News: "We noticed the tiger's behaviour change. Its eyes locked on to something in the enclosure. We thought maybe he's getting fed. When Scarlett was taking photos - we suddenly saw in the camera lens that a guy had entered the enclosure."
Mr Hunt said he saw the man "bowed down, on all fours, started praying, and looking up at the sky". He added: "The tiger was still on the landing at this point" before it "leapt off the landing, and sniffed the guy".
Emergency services were contacted shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday following reports that a man had entered an enclosure and been attacked by a tiger. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his family was informed.
Park remains closed
South Yorkshire Police has since revealed that the man is not believed to have been with anyone else during his visit. A force spokesperson said: "It is not believed that the man who died at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park was being accompanied by anybody." Police will not publicly name the victim at the request of his family.
A health and safety investigation has now been launched by City of Doncaster Council, which is the licensing authority for Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Dan Swaine, executive director of place at City of Doncaster Council, said: "As the relevant licensing authority for the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, I can confirm that, in line with our statutory duties, the council has launched a health and safety investigation."
"We are also working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, and are supporting the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in response to the incident. At this time, we won't be commenting further on the individual or the investigation, and we ask that the privacy of those involved is respected at this difficult time."
Yorkshire Wildlife Park remains closed on Tuesday for a fourth consecutive day following the tragedy. The park has previously confirmed that Altai is "safe and well" and will not be euthanised, while members of staff who were "deeply affected" by the incident are receiving specialist support.
