Yorkshire Wildlife Park has confirmed that Altai the tiger will not be euthanised after fatally attacking a man who entered his enclosure.
The park near Doncaster issued a statement on Sunday addressing widespread concern for the animal’s fate. “Many, many people have contacted us about Altai, the tiger. We can reassure everyone that he is safe and well and will not be euthanised as a result of this incident,” the statement read. The park also announced it would remain closed for the day and that staff would receive specialist support after witnessing the traumatic events.
Emergency services were called shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday when a man breached the tiger enclosure. South Yorkshire Police said the individual died at the scene despite medical efforts. “At 1.35pm today (Saturday October 10) we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park,” a police spokesperson said. “The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury.” The spokesperson added that the animal was uninjured and remained in the enclosure, with no wider risk to the public.
Tiger King star Carole Baskin weighed in on the incident, saying that the tiger “was not doing anything wrong.”
“The tiger was not doing anything wrong by being a tiger. I am relieved to hear that the animal was not harmed,” she said.
“We don’t yet know all the circumstances that led to this man’s death, and it would be wrong to speculate,” Baskin continued. “What we do know is that a tiger is a powerful wild predator, and no amount of captivity, training, or familiarity can change that.”
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the attack unfolded. Alice, a visitor at the park that day, said that evacuation began suddenly. “It was all very sudden with a member of staff running around telling people to evacuate but wouldn’t say anything about why,” she said. “It felt chaotic. People near us were saying how they’d been near the tiger enclosure when they’d seen a young man climbing the fence into the enclosure where he had provoked the tigers which then retaliated.”
Alice added that conflicting reports spread among visitors about how staff responded. “Some saying the tigers were shot, others saying it was gas canisters to spook them into their enclosures,” she said. She was grateful to have been elsewhere with friends and their young children when the incident occurred.
Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary and MP for Doncaster North, addressed the tragedy in a social media post. “I send my thoughts and deepest condolences to the family of the individual who died. I am very grateful to the emergency services and staff of the park who responded,” he wrote. He described himself as “deeply saddened” by what had happened.
The park’s statement expressed sympathy for the victim’s loved ones. “Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life,” it read. “We would like to thank everyone who has expressed their concern following yesterday’s tragic incident.”
Baskin also extended condolences, saying, “My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the man who lost his life today at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.”
South Yorkshire Police confirmed the man’s family had been notified and was receiving support from specialist officers.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is expected to reopen following the temporary closure.