A visitor to a British wildlife park has died after suffering “serious injuries” in a tiger attack, police have confirmed.
Emergency services were called to Yorkshire Wildlife Park shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday following reports that a man had accessed the tiger habitat. The police said the man was attacked by one of the big cats while inside the enclosure.
Man pronounced dead at the scene
In an updated statement on Saturday evening, South Yorkshire Police confirmed that, despite the efforts of medics who attended, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed, the force added.
Footage circulating online appeared to show a man being grappled and pawed at by a tiger within the tiger keep.
Police confirmed that the four-legged animal remained contained inside the enclosure and was injured. The park near Doncaster, south Yorkshire, was evacuated after the incident.
Police statement on the incident
A spokesman for the force said: “At 1.35pm today we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
“The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury.
“Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.
“Regarding rumours surrounding the condition of the tiger, the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public.”
Yorkshire Ambulance Service said two land ambulances, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor were dispatched to the scene on Saturday.
Park closed for the weekend
Yorkshire Wildlife Park first opened in 2009 and later introduced its "Land of the Tigers" section in 2011.
The attraction consists of a purpose-built two-acre reserve housing endangered Amur tigers, a subspecies with roughly 500 remaining in the wild. Images of the enclosure on the park's website show a high elevated visitor walkway and fencing above where the tigers roam.
Police said they were aware that the animal attack footage was circulating online, and requested that the public refrain from sharing any videos more widely.
A statement shared by the wildlife park on social media confirmed that a “serious incident” had occurred at the tiger enclosure on Saturday.
Management said the site would be closed all weekend as a result of the incident.
The statement continued: "Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated and emergency services are currently attending the scene.
"We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened.
"The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority. The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow."
