VIDEO: Man dies after horrific tiger attack inside wildlife park [Photo : Courtsey]
A man has died after being attacked by a tiger inside an enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, England, prompting the temporary closure of the facility as police investigate the incident.
According to international media reports, emergency services were called to the park shortly after 1:30pm after a visitor reportedly gained access to the secure enclosure.
A viral video seen by TNX Africa captured the moments the tiger attacked the man.
Police confirmed that the man sustained fatal injuries at the scene. His family has been notified and is receiving support from specially trained officers.
The park’s management announced that the facility would remain closed to the public until Sunday, October 11, as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement, the park expressed its condolences to the deceased’s family and said emergency procedures had been activated. Staff were also assisting police with their investigations.
Authorities confirmed that the tiger was unharmed, remained inside its enclosure and posed no further threat to visitors or the surrounding area.
Police have urged members of the public to exercise discretion and avoid sharing footage of the incident on social media.
Visitors who were at the park during the incident described an orderly evacuation managed by staff. Some reported hearing loud noises and seeing emergency medical helicopters overhead, while barricades were placed around parts of the enclosure to shield the affected area.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, established in 2009, is home to a range of wildlife, including Amur tigers. The endangered subspecies is native to the Russian Far East and parts of northeastern China.
Conservation estimates suggest that approximately 500 Amur tigers remain in the wild, with habitat loss and poaching among the threats facing the population.