A witness says the man who died after entering a tiger enclosure at a UK wildlife park was dancing with Apple EarPods in and posing for photos moments before the fatal jump.
Marie Miller, who was visiting Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, northern England, on Saturday, described the parkgoer as happily enjoying the sight of the massive Siberian tiger, Altai, roughly 20 minutes before the tragedy unfolded. The man, who has not been publicly identified, asked a total stranger to photograph him with the tiger in the background, Miller wrote on Facebook.
“20 minutes before today’s tragic incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park this tiger was sat in the sunshine,” Miller posted. “The man who I saw on the bridge with his EarPods in dancing was happily enjoying seeing the tiger.”
“He obviously wasn’t with anyone and he asked a total stranger to take a picture of him with the tiger in the background,” she continued. “Probably the last photo on his phone.”
Police and paramedics rushed to the park at about 1:35 p.m. After reports that the man had entered the “Land of the Tigers” exhibit. Footage showed the tiger biting and clawing at the man’s back as he sat on the grass and tried to fend off the attack, raising his finger toward the animal.
“The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury,” South Yorkshire Police said in a statement. “Emergency services attended and sadly, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Miller said she did not know whether the man was accompanied by a caregiver or family member, adding that she believed he may have wanted to play with the animal. “I’m not sure if he was with a carer or family member but I honestly do think he just wanted to play with the tiger,” she wrote.
“Tragic for his family,” Miller added. “Tragic for the staff who were brilliant but in shock. Thankfully the tiger survived. Thankfully we didn’t see him jump.”
Police confirmed the animal was uninjured and remained in its enclosure. “The man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers,” police said. “Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time.”
A black screen was placed around the enclosure after the attack, and the park closed for the remainder of the weekend. “Our emergency response procedures were immediately activated,” Yorkshire Wildlife Park said in a statement. “We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority.”
The park also confirmed that Altai is “safe and well and will not be euthanized as a result of this incident.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park welcomed Altai from Norway’s Dyreparken zoo in February 2025 to join female Tschuna as part of a European endangered-species breeding program, according to the park’s official website. Tschuna arrived in 2013 and gave birth to three cubs in 2015. The park’s two-acre “Land of the Tigers” habitat features woodland, grassland and a waterfall pool.
South Yorkshire Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.