Tiger attack park closed for third day

Yorkshire Wildlife Park remains closed for a third day as investigations continue into the death of a man who was attacked by a tiger when he entered its enclosure.

The park near Doncaster was closed over the weekend after reports of a man climbing down into the enclosure from a walkway on Saturday afternoon.

An eyewitness described seeing the man wearing headphones and "pacing around" near the enclosure before he went in and was attacked.

A park spokesperson said: "Due to the events over the weekend, the park will remain closed today. Thank you for your understanding."

South Yorkshire Police said the man died at the scene and his family were being supported by officers. "Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time," the force said.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park said the rare Amur tiger, called Altai, remained in the enclosure and would not be euthanised.

Cars could be seen coming and going from the park earlier, but there were no visitors.

In a message to ticket holders on Monday morning, Yorkshire Wildlife Park said anyone with a booking would be contacted within the next five days to reschedule.

Angela Seivewright, 47, from Bawtry, was laying flowers outside the park gates in tribute to the deceased man. She said she had an annual pass and had visited many times with her two children.

"My daughter was unfortunately sent the video and she's a teenager," she said.

"I found it very distressing, but I think what I've found more distressing is the reaction of the public that I received when I said I hope the human is OK.

"I was surprised at the amount of anger and hatred the people seemed to have towards the gentleman."

On Saturday evening, police said they were aware of videos circulating online and encouraged people not to share the footage.

Dr Campbell Murn, a previous member of the government's zoo expert committee and lecturer at the University of Reading, said while it was a tragic incident, determined people could get inside zoo enclosures.

"I view it in the same way a determined thief will get into somebody's house or somebody's car and despite the best security systems and enclosures sometimes these things happen," he said.

"One of the fundamental approaches of a modern zoo is to give people a wildlife experience and keep them safe so they can learn and they can enjoy being near the animals, but keeping a safety distance that is relevant but not making it too heavy handed."

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Murn said public safety was an "enormous consideration" for zoo standards in the UK.

A spokesperson for the Born Free Foundation, which campaigns to phase out zoos, called for an "urgent review" into "how the man managed to enter the enclosure and what happened next".

Born Free's co-founder Will Travers said: "Putting dangerous wild animals on public display in zoos and safari parks creates a false relationship with humans.

"Visitors are encouraged to get up close and personal - that is a deeply unnatural situation and not without risk."

The tiger has been at Yorkshire Wildlife Park since it was moved from Dyreparken in Norway in February 2025 as part of the international EAZA European Endangered Species Programme for Amur tigers.

Dyreparken biologist Helene Axelsen said Altai was born at the site in 2021.

She said: "We were deeply saddened to hear about the tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park over the weekend.

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim's family, loved ones, and the entire team at Yorkshire Wildlife Park during this extremely difficult time."

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