Man Fatally Mauled by Tiger After Entering Enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

A man died Saturday afternoon after entering the enclosure of a Siberian tiger named Altai at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, according to reports. Emergency services responded to the park near Doncaster around 1:35 p.m. after receiving reports of the incident.

The man, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene due to serious injuries sustained in the attack. Altai, a 30-stone Siberian tiger, reportedly circled the man before attacking. Some witnesses observed the man making a hand gesture, clenching his fist and wagging his little finger, which has been interpreted by social media users as a Makaton sign for 'bad.' Makaton is a communication system that combines gestures, pictures, and speech.

Video footage circulating online appeared to show the man asking other park visitors to take pictures of him with the tiger before he entered the enclosure. Witness accounts suggest the man may have performed a 'dance' in the spectator area before climbing the fence into the tiger's habitat.

Zoo keepers activated emergency response procedures and attempted to drive the tiger away from the man using loud acoustic devices. Yorkshire Ambulance Service dispatched two ambulances and a helicopter, with paramedics present, but the man could not be saved.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park confirmed on Sunday that Altai would not be euthanized as a result of the incident. "We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident," the park stated. The park also thanked those who expressed concern.

Authorities are investigating the incident. South Yorkshire Police stated that there was no wider risk to the public as the tiger remained in its enclosure and was uninjured. Police have urged the public not to share footage of the attack. The park was evacuated following the incident and remained closed on Sunday.

Altai arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in February 2025 from Dyreparken Zoo in Norway. The park's Land Of The Tigers area, a two-acre reserve for Siberian tigers, opened in 2011. The species is endangered, with approximately 500 remaining in the wild.