Man mauled by tiger after jumping into Yorkshire zoo enclosure

Summarised from 7 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 10 Oct, 16:07 · Archive

A man was mauled by a tiger after jumping into its enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster at approximately 1.33pm on 10 October. Yorkshire Ambulance Service was called to the scene, joined by police and an air ambulance. Eyewitnesses described the man as 'agitated' before the incident.

The park is home to two tigers: a male called Altai and a female called Tschuna, which arrived in March 2025. Video footage shared on social media showed a man in a black sweatshirt kneeling on the ground as the tiger attacked him from behind, biting his back and mauling him before standing over him.

Witnesses reported hearing shots fired. The park stated that gas canisters were shot into the enclosure to subdue the tiger. Metro reported that five shots were fired, described as a gas canister by some witnesses. Emergency response procedures were immediately activated according to the park's statement.

Visitors were ordered to evacuate. A black screen was erected around the tiger enclosure to obstruct the view. Witness Dominic Ford, who was visiting with his four-year-old niece, said staff appeared 'calm' during the evacuation. Another visitor, Tia Hanson, told the Doncaster Press that police and ambulance personnel were present in large numbers, and that a stretcher was visible in the enclosure. She noted that many people appeared upset by the incident.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park released a statement confirming that a 'serious incident' had occurred at the tiger enclosure. The park said it was working closely with authorities to establish exactly what happened and that the safety and wellbeing of visitors, staff and animals remained its highest priority. The park was closed for the remainder of 10 October and remained closed on 11 October.

How it is being reported

• Yorkshire Wildlife Park live: 'Shots fired' over 'serious incident' in tiger enclosureYorkshire Wildlife park has been evacuated following reports a man 'jumped into a tiger enclosure' during a 'serious incident'The Mirror · 10 Oct, 16:23
• Emergency services respond to ‘serious incident’ at UK zoo’s tiger enclosureEmergency services are responding to a “serious incident” at a tiger enclosure at a British zoo.The Independent · 10 Oct, 16:11
• 'Serious incident' at tiger enclosure closes parkThe attraction near Doncaster says emergency response procedures were "immediately activated".BBC News · 10 Oct, 15:57
• Man ‘jumps into tiger enclosure’ before animal ‘shot by staff’ at wildlife parkAn 'agitated' male was reportedly 'mauled' by a tiger.Metro · 10 Oct, 15:54
• Man mauled by tiger after jumping into enclosure at Yorkshire zoo as shots firedA man has been maulted by a tiger after jumping into its enclosure at a Yorkshire zoo. Shots were fired at Yorkshire Wildlife Park as shocking footage from the scene shows the man on the ground waving his finger at the tiger loomed over him. An emergency incident has been declared after the park was evacuated earlier this afternoon. Yorkshire Ambulance Service received reports of the incident Yorkshire Wildlife Park around 1.33pm before swarming the scene, joined by two land ambulances and a helicopter. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The park is home to two tigers, one male, Altai, and one…GB News · 10 Oct, 15:53
• Wildlife park evacuated after man 'jumps into tiger enclosure'Yorkshire Wildlife Park confirmed a 'serious incident' had unfolded at the tiger enclosure, with an emergency response underway and the site closed for the weekendThe Mirror · 10 Oct, 15:42
• Horror as man 'jumps into tiger enclosure at UK zoo' - 'shots fired'A statement from the park states that a "serious incident" has occurred.Daily Express · 10 Oct, 15:37
• 'Agitated' man 'jumps into tiger enclosure at zoo' as witnesses say shots are firedAn 'agitated' man has reportedly jumped into a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park as witnesses say shots were fired.Daily Mail · 10 Oct, 15:27

In this story: Yorkshire Wildlife Park · Doncaster · Altai · Tschuna · Dominic Ford · Tia Hanson

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem