Was a man killed by a tiger at Yorkshire Wildlife Park?
Yes. A man died at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster on Saturday, Oct 10, after he entered a tiger enclosure and was attacked by the tiger, South Yorkshire Police said.
Police say the tiger was uninjured, stayed in its enclosure, and there is no wider risk to the public. The man has not been named; his family is being supported by specialist officers.
Updated · South Yorkshire Police. This page is updated daily while the story is developing.
- Death: the man was pronounced dead at the scene
- 1
- When police were called, Saturday Oct 10
- 1:35pm
- Park status on Sunday Oct 11
- Closed
What has happened
Dates are local dates in Russia unless noted.
At 1:35pm, South Yorkshire Police receive reports of a man entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Branton, near Doncaster. The tiger attacks him.
Source: South Yorkshire Police
Two ambulances, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor attend. Despite their efforts, the man is pronounced dead at the scene.
Source: South Yorkshire Police; RTÉ News
The park is evacuated and closed. Police say the tiger was uninjured and stayed in the enclosure, and that there is no wider risk to the public.
The park stays closed on Sunday while it works with the authorities to establish exactly what happened.
Source: Yorkshire Wildlife Park; ABC News (Australia), with Reuters and AP
Questions people are asking
What happened at Yorkshire Wildlife Park?
On Saturday, Oct 10, a man entered a tiger enclosure at the park and was attacked by the tiger. Police were called at 1:35pm, and despite the efforts of medical staff the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Source: South Yorkshire Police; RTÉ News
Who was the man killed by the tiger?
He has not been named. South Yorkshire Police say his family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Police have not released his age or where he was from.
Source: South Yorkshire Police; ABC News (Australia), with Reuters and AP
How did the man get into the tiger enclosure?
Officials have not said. Police describe a man "entering" the enclosure and say officers remained at the scene carrying out inquiries. The park says it is working closely with the authorities to establish exactly what happened.
Source: South Yorkshire Police; Yorkshire Wildlife Park; RTÉ News
Was the tiger shot or hurt?
No. Responding to rumours about the animal, South Yorkshire Police said the tiger was uninjured and remained in its enclosure after the incident.
Source: South Yorkshire Police
Is there any danger to the public?
No. Police say there is no wider risk to the public, and the park says its tigers remained contained within the enclosure.
Source: South Yorkshire Police; ABC News (Australia), with Reuters and AP
Is Yorkshire Wildlife Park open?
Not on Sunday, Oct 11. The park was evacuated and closed after the incident on Saturday and said it would remain closed on Sunday. It has not yet given a reopening date; check the park's website before travelling.
Source: Yorkshire Wildlife Park; RTÉ News
Is there a video of the tiger attack?
Police say they are aware of videos circulating online and have asked people not to share the footage.
Source: South Yorkshire Police
Where is Yorkshire Wildlife Park?
The park is in Branton, near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England, about 260 km (160 miles) north of London.
Source: South Yorkshire Police; ABC News (Australia), with Reuters and AP
Sources
- South Yorkshire Police: Update on incident at Yorkshire Wildlife Park Official · Oct 10
- Yorkshire Wildlife Park: Park statement on the incident at the tiger enclosure Oct 10
- RTÉ News: Man dies after entering tiger enclosure in UK Oct 10
- ABC News (Australia), with Reuters and AP: Man dies after entering tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park Oct 11