On Saturday, a man entered the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster in northern England. The park, which began welcoming visitors in 2009, features the 'Land of the Tigers' attraction that opened in 2011. At approximately 1:35 p.m., the man entered the tiger enclosure, an area designated for the endangered Amur tigers that spans two acres and includes a 300-metre raised walkway for observers.
Witnesses reported that the tiger bit and mauled the man. The victim repeatedly shouted 'stop' as the animal attacked. The tiger stayed inside the enclosure and was later confirmed to be uninjured. Police reported that the tigers remained inside the enclosure and there was no danger to the wider public.
Anyone know what the update is on the man that jumping into the tigers enclosure at YWP? I hope the man was rescued in time & gets the support he clearly needs. But it’s deeply unfair that innocent families were forced to witness something like this. I hope the tiger is ok too! https://t.co/6D6vcMPMVV
Upon receiving the alert, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service dispatched two land ambulances, an air ambulance (helicopter), and a doctor to the location. Simultaneously, South Yorkshire Police confirmed that gas canisters were fired to drive the tiger back from the man.
Simultaneously, South Yorkshire Police confirmed that gas canisters were fired to drive the tiger back from the man.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed the incident. The Yorkshire Wildlife Park issued a statement saying, "We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened."
The Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened its gates to the public in 2009. Its 'Land of the Tigers' exhibit, launched in 2011, provides a two-acre reserve for the endangered Amur tiger subspecies, complete with a raised walkway that allows visitors to view the animals from a safe distance.
Following the attack, the park was evacuated. The facility would remain closed for the rest of the day and through Sunday.
While one source described the man's injuries as serious, another source reported that he sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
