Yorkshire Wildlife Park has released a statement after a man was mauled to death by a tiger in its enclosure.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster remains closed after the unnamed man in his 20s was killed by a Siberian tiger at the attraction.
The wildlife park wrote: ‘We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday’s tragic incident. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly lost his life.
‘The park will be closed while the staff team who were deeply affected by events receive specialist support. Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger.
‘We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident.’
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When Altai arrived at the zoo in March 2025, Director of Animals Charlotte MacDonald said: ‘We are delighted with Altai. He is a beautiful, huge cat and very calm and receptive, his keepers at Dyreparken have clearly done a great job with him.
‘It will take him a while to settle in at the Park as it is a big change for him but hopefully he will be out in the Land of the Tiger in the coming weeks.’
Altai was described as a ‘nice and calm tiger’ who ‘loves his training, eating and especially enjoys playing in the water outside’.
Emergency services attended the scene shortly after 1.30pm yesterday following reports a man was attacked after entering the tiger enclosure.
The man was seriously injured after being pinned to the ground by the tiger, which was not injured in the incident.
The park was quickly evacuated following the attack, but the man was pronounced dead on the scene.
Footage shared on social media appears to show the moments leading up to the attack. In one, a man is heard asking another visitor: ‘Excuse me, can you grab a shot of myself with the tiger?’
The woman agrees and the video falls silent, presumably while the picture is taken, before the man thanks her.
He can then be heard asking for ‘one more’ picture three times before saying: ‘Thank you, lady.’
A witness claimed to the Mail on Sunday the victim was then seen dancing to ‘psych himself up’, holding a mobile phone and wearing earpods, before climbing over the fence.
A visitor to the park also said the victim appeared ‘agitated’ and was ‘grabbed by the throat’ within seconds of accessing the enclosure.
He could be heard crying ‘no, no’ during the attack, witnesses claim.
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