A man died Saturday after he entered a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and was attacked by the animal, South Yorkshire Police said, according to The Guardian.
Emergency services were called shortly after 1:30 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and police said his family has been informed. Officers said there is no wider risk to the public.
The park, near Doncaster, closed after what it called a “serious incident” and said it will stay shut until Sunday.
What We Know So Far
A police spokesperson said the tiger inflicted “serious injury” on the man. Paramedics and doctors tried to save him, but he died at the enclosure, police said.
Videos circulating online appear to show a man being pawed at and grappled by a tiger. Police urged people not to share the “distressing” footage on social media.
Police also addressed rumors about the animal’s condition. The tiger was uninjured and stayed in its enclosure after the incident, they said.
The Yorkshire ambulance service said it sent two ambulances, the Yorkshire air ambulance and a doctor to the scene.
Police have not released the man’s name or age, or said how he got into the enclosure. The park said it is working with authorities to find out exactly what happened.
What Authorities Are Saying
“The man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers,” South Yorkshire Police said in a statement, adding that their thoughts are with the family at a distressing time.
The park said it activated its emergency response procedures right away. Its statement said the “safety and wellbeing of visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority.”
Why This Matters
The park opened in 2009, and its Land of the Tigers attraction followed in 2011. The attraction sits on a purpose built two acre reserve for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with about 500 left in the wild, The Guardian reported.
Photos on the park’s website show a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers roam. How the man gained access despite those barriers is likely to become a central question for investigators and for the park’s licensing and safety reviewers.
Deaths from tiger attacks at zoos are rare in Britain, so the case is expected to draw scrutiny of enclosure design and visitor safeguards at wildlife attractions. The viral spread of video from the scene has also prompted the police appeal, adding an issue of respect for the man’s family.
What Happens Next
Police are expected to investigate the circumstances, and the park has said it will cooperate. It will not reopen before Sunday, and any further closure will depend on the inquiry. Officials have not said whether the tiger will face any restrictions or whether outside safety inspectors will review the enclosure.
Reporting drawn from The Guardian and Reuters
