Yorkshire Wildlife Park will remain closed on Monday after a man was fatally attacked by a tiger on Saturday. The incident occurred after the man entered the Amur tiger enclosure at the park, near Doncaster.
Emergency services were called shortly after 1.30pm on October 9 after the man entered the enclosure and was attacked by the tiger. He was pronounced dead at the scene, South Yorkshire Police confirmed, adding that his family had been notified.
Park confirms tiger is safe and will not be euthanised
In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, the wildlife park said "many, many people" had been in touch regarding Altai, the Amur tiger involved in the incident, and confirmed he is "safe and well" and will not be euthanised. The park also stated that members of staff were "deeply affected" by the incident and had been given specialist support.
The park was evacuated shortly after the incident and remained shut on Sunday. The park confirmed they would not be reopening on Monday.
Footage of attack circulates online
Footage circulating online appears to show a man being pawed at and grappled by Altai within the tiger enclosure at the park. A separate clip appears to feature the voice of the as-yet-unidentified man asking others to photograph him with the tiger, before the attack occurred.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, with the Land of the Tigers attraction launching in 2011. The attraction is a purpose-built, two-acre reserve for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with approximately 500 remaining in the wild.
Police confirm no wider risk to public
A police spokesperson said on Saturday: "At 1.35pm, 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."
The spokesperson added: "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."
A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed that two land ambulances, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor were dispatched to the scene. Images of the enclosure on the park's website depict an elevated walkway for visitors and fencing above the area where the tigers are free to roam. South Yorkshire Police confirmed it is aware of footage of the attack circulating online and urged members of the public not to share it.
