Man asked for photo with tiger before fatal enclosure attack, witnesses say

Witnesses say the man could be heard shouting ‘no, no’ during the attack (Picture: Yorkshire Wildlife Park)

A man mauled to death by a tiger at a UK wildlife park is said to have asked for a photo with the animal who killed him moments before entering its enclosure.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster remains closed after the unnamed man in his 20s was killed by a Siberian tiger at the attraction.

Emergency services attended the scene shortly after 1.30pm yesterday following reports a man was attacked after entering the tiger enclosure.

The man was seriously injured after being pinned to the ground by the tiger, which was not injured in the incident.

The park was quickly evacuated following the attack, but the man was pronounced dead on the scene.

His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Police have asked people not to share footage of the attack online (Picture: SWNS)

Footage shared on social media appears to show the moments leading up to the attack. In one, a man is heard asking another visitor: ‘Excuse me, can you grab a shot of myself with the tiger?’

The woman agrees and the video falls silent, presumably while the picture is taken, before the man thanks her.

He can then be heard asking for ‘one more’ picture three times before saying: ‘Thank you, lady.’

A witness claimed to the Mail on Sunday the victim was then seen dancing to ‘psych himself up’, holding a mobile phone and wearing earpods, before climbing over the fence.

A visitor to the park also said the victim appeared ‘agitated’ and was ‘grabbed by the throat’ within seconds of accessing the enclosure.

He could be heard crying ‘no, no’ during the attack, witnesses claim.

The park was evacuated following the incident and remains closed until at least Monday (Picture: PA)

In footage of the attack circulated on social media, a woman’s voice could be heard saying: ‘I tried to stop him.’

South Yorkshire Police said it was aware of the footage of the attack online and asked people not to share it.

A spokesperson for the force said: ‘At 1.35pm today (Saturday October 10) 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.

“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.”

A Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed two ambulances, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and a doctor attended the scene.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park opened its doors in 2009, with the Land of the Tigers attraction opening in 2011.

The attraction is on a purpose-built two-acre reserve for Amur tigers, an endangered subspecies with around 500 left in the wild.

Pictures of the area show visitors can view the animals from a high walkway with fencing above the section where tigers roam freely.

A statement from Yorkshire Wildlife Park yesterday said: ‘The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority.

‘The park is now closed and will remain closed tomorrow.’

Tickets remain on sale for entry to the park from Monday onwards.

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