Man Dies After Being Attacked by Tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
The park remains closed following the incident where a man entered the tiger enclosure and was attacked by a rare Amur tiger.
A man has died after being attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, prompting the closure of the park, which has yet to reopen.
Emergency services were called to the park around 1:30 PM BST after reports that a man had entered the tiger enclosure. Visitors who were in the vicinity were moved away as the attack took place. The man died shortly after.
The tiger involved, a rare Amur tiger named Altai, was secured in its enclosure and will not be euthanized, according to park officials.
Witnesses described the man, believed to be in his 20s, as wearing headphones and pacing on the raised walkway before climbing over barriers and entering the enclosure. One witness reported seeing the man lie down in front of the tiger before the animal attacked.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a 150-acre park featuring various animal habitats, including the Land of the Tigers, which has a 300-meter raised walkway. The park's website highlights its focus on conservation and provides viewing areas for visitors to observe animals in environments designed to mimic their natural habitats.
Altai, a five-year-old Amur tiger, was transferred to Yorkshire Wildlife Park from Dyreparken in Norway in February 2025 as part of the EAZA European Endangered Species Programme for Amur tigers. He was brought to Doncaster to join the park's resident tigress, Tschuna.
Experts note that tigers are apex predators and their behavior is instinctual. Dr. David Sands, a human-companion animal practitioner, stated that the tiger was likely acting according to its natural predatory instincts, viewing the intruder as either competition or prey within its territory. "The animal is just being the animal that a million years of evolution has produced," Sands commented.
The park released a statement expressing condolences to the victim's family and loved ones. They confirmed the park's closure to allow staff, who were deeply affected, to receive support. The statement also reassured the public that Altai is safe and well.