A man died on Saturday afternoon after being mauled by a Siberian tiger when he entered its enclosure at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England. The incident prompted the park to close for the weekend.
South Yorkshire Police responded to reports of a man inside the tiger enclosure at approximately 1:35 p.m. local time. Officers found the man had suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a tiger. Emergency services attended the scene, but the man was pronounced dead despite their efforts.
Witnesses reported hearing the man shout "No! No! No!" as the tiger attacked him. Footage circulating online appeared to show the tiger biting and clawing at the man's back as he sat on the ground within the enclosure.
The park confirmed the incident in a statement, announcing its closure for both Saturday and Sunday. "The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow," the statement read.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park's "Land of the Tiger" exhibit features Siberian tigers. The park stated that the tiger involved in the incident was unharmed and remained within its enclosure. Police assured the public that there was no ongoing risk.
The exact circumstances of how the man entered the enclosure remain unclear. The victim's family is being supported by specialist officers, according to the police. The park also features other large animals, including polar bears, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and black rhinos.