Man killed after entering tiger enclosure at Yorkshire zoo

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 17:30 · Archive

A man was killed after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday afternoon.

A man was killed on Saturday after entering the enclosure of a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in South Yorkshire. Emergency services were called shortly after 1.30pm on October 10. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene, and his family have been informed.

South Yorkshire Police said on Monday that it is not believed the man was being accompanied by anybody when he entered the enclosure. The Daily Mail reports that witnesses screamed at him to 'play dead' in a bid to help him survive the attack. The outlet also reports that moments before the attack, the man had asked visitors to take a picture with the tiger, and that he was reported to be alone and dancing to music in his headphones. According to the Daily Mail, he then climbed into the enclosure where he began 'praying and bowing' on all fours in front of the animal. When attacked, the Daily Mail reports he screamed 'stop' several times and appeared to make a gesture for 'bad' in Makaton, a sign language system used by those with communication difficulties.

Emergency services attended the scene following the attack, with two land ambulances and a helicopter rushing to the park. Shots were heard, but the tiger was uninjured. The animal, a 200kg male Siberian tiger named Altai, has remained in the enclosure since the incident. The park confirmed that Altai is 'safe and well' and will not be euthanised. Members of park staff affected by the incident are receiving specialist support.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park was evacuated after the incident and remained closed on Monday. The park offered ticketholders the chance to reschedule their bookings. The City of Doncaster Council, the park's licensing authority, launched a health and safety investigation into the incident. Dan Swaine, the council's Executive Director of Place, said the authority was working with multiple agencies, including the police and health agencies, in response to the incident, and asked that the privacy of those involved be respected.

A woman who lives near the wildlife park told the Evening Standard she was concerned over reports the victim may have had additional needs, and said she had previously seen adults with special needs in the park with carers who appeared to be 'a bit distracted'.

How it is being reported

• Witnesses screamed at man to 'play dead' before he was mauled to death by tiger at Yorkshire zoo - as health and safety probe is launchedDesperate onlookers at Yorkshire Wildlife Park frantically screamed at the man to lay still after he climbed into the big cat's enclosure and was attacked at about 1.30pm on October 10.Daily Mail · 12 Oct, 17:08
• Council launches investigation after man killed by tiger at wildlife parkYorkshire Wildlife Park remained closed on Monday as investigations continue into the death of the man.Evening Standard · 12 Oct, 15:48
• Police issue major update after man mauled to death by tiger at UK wildlife parkThe park where the incident happened was closed on Saturday and has not yet reopened.Daily Express · 12 Oct, 15:46
• Yorkshire zoo facing health and safety investigation after man mauled to death by tigerA health and safety investigation has been sparked after a man was mauled to death by a tiger at a zoo over the weekend. The City of Doncaster Council announced the probe after an unnamed individual was killed by the predator when he entered an enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park on Saturday. In a statement, the local authority's Executive Director of Place Dan Swaine said: “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred this weekend and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with everyone involved, including the family and loved ones of the person who tragically lost their life…GB News · 12 Oct, 15:45
• What to know as man attacked at Yorkshire zooSouth Yorkshire Police said officers are working at pace to make contact with the man’s familyThe i Paper · 10 Oct, 17:47

In this story: Yorkshire Wildlife Park · Altai · South Yorkshire Police · City of Doncaster Council · Dan Swaine

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