A man who died after climbing into a tiger enclosure at a British wildlife park had been dancing with AirPods in and asking strangers to photograph him with the animal just moments before the fatal attack, witnesses have revealed.
The incident occurred at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday afternoon, when the unnamed man entered the tiger enclosure around 1:35pm. South Yorkshire Police confirmed he suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency responders’ efforts.
Witness accounts paint a disturbing picture of the man’s final moments in the spectator area. One visitor told The Mail on Sunday that he appeared to “psyche himself up” with a “dance” before scaling the fence. Another woman who was at the park posted on Facebook that he had his “AirPods in dancing” and 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 wrote. She believed he “just wanted to play with the tiger.”
Another witness who had also seen him in the viewing area with his “ear pods” in commented on Facebook: “It’s incredibly sad and people really do need to show more compassion. I agree that the park handled it really well and ensured everyone stayed calm when we were leaving.”
The tiger, identified as Altai, was not injured and remained in its enclosure following the incident. Police specifically addressed public concern about the animal’s fate, stating there was “no wider risk to the public.”
One witness said that people nearby described seeing “a young man climbing the fence into the enclosure where he had provoked the tigers which then retaliated.” Other visitors reported hearing sounds like shots as chaotic scenes unfolded and the park was evacuated.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park issued a statement on Saturday acknowledging the “serious incident” and confirming that “emergency response procedures were immediately activated.” The park added that it was “working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened” and announced it would remain closed through Sunday.
South Yorkshire Police released a formal statement addressing both the death and rumors circulating online: “At 1.35pm today (Saturday 10 October) we received reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The tiger subsequently attacked the man, resulting in serious injury. 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.”
The police statement continued: “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.” Officers urged the public not to share video footage circulating online as their investigation continued.
The park emphasized that “the safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority” as it cooperated with the ongoing police inquiry.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is expected to remain closed as authorities continue their investigation into how the man was able to access the tiger enclosure.