A zookeeper has suggested that the tiger involved in a fatal attack at Yorkshire Wildlife Park may not have intended to kill the man who entered its enclosure. Speaking to Sky News, Reece Oliver said the big cat, named Altai, could initially have mistaken the man for a plaything, while stressing that the exact circumstances of the tragedy remain unclear.
Keeper's theory on tiger's behaviour
Oliver described how Altai may have reacted when the man entered its territory. He said: "He's not sure whether it's an enrichment toy. It looked, from the videos that we've seen online, that the tiger was playing with him."
Oliver added that he did not believe the animal had necessarily set out to kill the man, but cautioned that even apparently playful behaviour from a tiger could prove catastrophic. "I don't think he was actually going to try and kill the man because I think he would have done it far sooner," he said.
"But obviously you're talking about a 200 kilo cat. The pressure from his jaw, from his claws, they're catastrophic injuries for a human. There's pretty much less than a 1% chance of a survival."
Investigation ongoing
The keeper was keen to emphasise that drawing firm conclusions before the investigation had been completed would be premature. "But, until we see the evidence, we can't say what happened because I wasn't there. Until the investigation's over, it's hard to say exactly what's happened," he told Sky News.
Emergency services were called shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday, October 10, following reports that a man had entered the tiger enclosure at the park near Doncaster and was attacked. South Yorkshire Police confirmed that he died at the scene and that his next of kin had been notified.
Park remains closed
Footage circulating online appears to show the man being pawed at and grappled by Altai. A separate clip seemingly shows the man asking people to photograph him with the tiger moments before the attack. Police have acknowledged the existence of the footage and appealed to the public not to share it.
The park had originally been due to reopen on Monday after being evacuated on Saturday and remaining closed on Sunday. However, those with advance bookings were told on Monday morning that the site would remain closed throughout the day.
In a communication to ticket holders, the park stated: "Due to the serious incident that occurred at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday, the 10th of October, unfortunately the park remains closed for the whole of Monday, the 12th October." Customers who had purchased tickets for Monday will be contacted within five working days regarding rebooking options.
Respect for the animals' home
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Yorkshire Wildlife Park confirmed that Altai was "safe and well" and would not face euthanisation. Staff members affected by the incident are receiving specialist support.
Oliver emphasised that visitors must recognise enclosures as the animals' domain, rather than areas for human access. "I think we've just got to be respectful that that's their home," he said. "We're there to exhibit, learn about these animals and it's all for conservation."
He added: "We shouldn't try and enter with the tiger especially as it can be a fatal situation for both parties." Yorkshire Wildlife Park began operating in 2009, with its Land of the Tigers exhibit opening two years later. The two-acre habitat houses Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies, with approximately 500 believed to survive in the wild.
