Tiger Attack Kills Man at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

A man has died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, England, on Saturday and being attacked by a tiger, South Yorkshire Police said. Emergency crews attended the scene, the park was evacuated, and authorities said there was no wider public risk.

South Yorkshire Police said officers were called at 13:35 BST after reports of a man entering the tiger enclosure. The force said the tiger remained inside the enclosure and the animal was not injured.

The park said its emergency procedures were activated immediately and it was cooperating with authorities investigating what happened. The attraction will remain closed following the incident.

"Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated, and emergency services are currently attending the scene." said Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

"We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened." said Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

The park later expressed sympathy for the victim's family and said it was working with police and other agencies while asking for privacy for those affected.

"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." said a Yorkshire Wildlife Park spokesperson.

"We are working closely with the police and relevant authorities and would ask that the privacy of those affected is respected at this extremely difficult time. The park will remain closed tomorrow." said a Yorkshire Wildlife Park spokesperson.

Police said the victim's family had been informed and was receiving support from specialist officers. The force also warned people against sharing footage of the incident online.

"The tiger attacked the man and this has resulted in serious injury." said South Yorkshire Police.

"We are aware of videos circulating online and we would encourage people not to share this distressing footage." said South Yorkshire Police.

The force said emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene despite medical efforts. Police continued to manage the response at the wildlife park.

"Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The man's family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time. Regarding rumours surrounding the condition of the tiger, the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure following the incident and there is no wider risk to the public." said South Yorkshire Police.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service sent two ambulances, an air ambulance, and a doctor to the scene. A visitor, Karmelle Pelham, said staff evacuated guests in an organized manner after the incident.

"We were in a lemur enclosure and somebody asked us to start leaving," said Karmelle Pelham.

"Then, all of a sudden, we were being ushered further and further into the park." said Karmelle Pelham.

Pelham said visitors later heard sounds that caused concern and saw emergency activity near the tiger area.

"Then we saw a helicopter circling. That's when we started thinking, 'Oh, something's happened'." said Karmelle Pelham.

She praised staff for their handling of the evacuation and said people were moved without widespread panic.

"Nobody was really panicked," said Karmelle Pelham.

"It was all very, very well organised. They did a great job of getting us out without panicking anyone." said Karmelle Pelham.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened in 2009, and its tiger area opened in 2011. The reserve houses Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies, and features woodland, grassland, and a waterfall pool area for the animals.