A man has died after being attacked by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, according to confirmation from South Yorkshire Police. Emergency services were called to the attraction near Doncaster at 13:35 BST following reports that a man had entered the tiger enclosure. The man was attacked by the tiger and pronounced dead at the scene.
South Yorkshire Police stated that the man's family has been informed and were being supported by officers, it added. Authorities confirmed that the tiger remained in the enclosure following the incident and was not injured. Police also noted that there was no wider risk to the public. The park was evacuated following the attack, and police officers remain stationed at the site to conduct their investigation.
A spokesperson for the park expressed deep sorrow regarding the event, stating, "We are deeply saddened by today's tragic incident. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the person who has lost their life." Earlier, in a statement posted on its website, the park said its emergency response procedures had been "immediately activated" and it was "working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened". The spokesperson requested that the privacy of those affected be respected and confirmed that the park will remain closed for the remainder of the weekend.
Visitors present at the time described the scene during the evacuation. Karmelle Pelham, 39, from Worksop, reported that staff handled the situation in a well-organized manner. She noted hearing sounds resembling gunshots and observed an air ambulance circling the area before seeing a large, black tarpaulin placed over the tiger enclosure.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which first opened in 2009, features a specialized "Land of the Tigers" area that launched in 2011. The two-acre, purpose-built reserve is home to Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with an estimated population of approximately 500 remaining in the wild. Photos of the enclosure on the park's website shows a high walkway for visitors and fencing above the section where the tigers can roam.
