Man dies after entering tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Emergency services were called to the scene after reports of a man entering the tiger enclosure at a wildlife park in northern England. A man has died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and being attacked by one of the animals, according to South Yorkshire Police. Officers and emergency medical staff were dispatched to the park near Doncaster at approximately 1:35 PM local time on Saturday, October 7, 2023, following reports that a man had entered the enclosure. The man died at the scene, and it is unclear how he gained access to the enclosure. The tiger involved was not injured and remained inside the enclosure during the incident, with police stating there was no wider risk to the public. The park was evacuated, and police remained at the scene on Saturday night. Police stated, "The man’s family is aware and is being supported by specialist officers. Our thoughts are with them at this distressing time." Authorities are also aware of footage circulating on social media that appears to show the man inside the enclosure shortly before the attack and have urged the public not to share the video. The park announced it would close following the incident and would remain closed until Sunday. In a statement, the park said, "We are working closely with the authorities to ascertain exactly what happened. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and animals remain our highest priority." Yorkshire Wildlife Park began operations in 2009, and its Land of the Tigers attraction, a 0.4-hectare (2-acre) reserve for endangered Amur tigers, opened in 2011. A raised walkway, 300 meters (985 feet) long, allows visitors to observe the tigers in their habitat.